Laser Diode Characteristics and Definitionsf
What is a Laser Diode?
The term laser is an acronym that stands for
“Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation”
Laser beam
Cap
Laser diode structure Laser chip
Electrode PIN photodiode
Cap layer Stem
Current blocking layer
Cladding layer
Active layer
Strained-MQW Cladding layer
structure Buffer layer
Substrate
Laser beam Electrode
Misoriented substrate
Laser chip structure Can type
A laser diode, similar to a light emitting diode (LED), is comprised of a junction between two semiconductors (one positive,
one negative). This junction is known as a p-n junction. These semiconductors are incredibly small, made of very thin slices
of semiconducting material, and are very carefully manufactured so as to create a perfect p-n junction.
Lasers are monochromatic, meaning that they have only one frequency. For a laser to function, many photons of light of
the same frequency must all travel in the same direction, causing them to constructively interfere with each other, which
increases the amplitude of the light. In a laser diode, the light is emitted because there are both electrons, in the positive
substance, and holes (the absence of electrons) in the negative substance. When the positive substance is charged, the
electrons in the positive substance jump to fill the holes in the negative substance. when the electrons jump, they lose
energy in the form of photons, which are light quanta. These photons are all produced simultaneously. Because all the
electrons jumped down to fill holes in a certain semiconducting material, all of the photons are of the same frequency and
direction. This causes a laser beam to form and come out through the lens of the laser diode.
Because laser diodes have to be operated at such a high current density, and have a very low forward resistance when las-
ing action occurs, they are at risk of destroying themselves due to thermal runaway. Their operating light density can also
rise to a level where the end mirrors can begin melting.
This means that not only must a laser diodes current be regulated by a constant current circuit rather than a simple se-
ries resistor, but optical negative feedback must generally be used as well to ensure that the optical output is held to a
constant safe level. To make this optical feedback easier, most laser diodes have a silicon PIN photodiode built right into
the package, arranged so that it automatically receives a fixed proportion of the laser’s output. The output of this monitor
diode can then be used to control the current fed through the laser by the constant current circuit, for stable and reliable
operation.
The diagram above shows a typical horizontal type laser chip mounted in its package, with the monitor photodiode mount-
ed on the base stem below it so the diode receives the light output from the rear of the laser chip.
Laser Diode Characteristics and Definitions
ITEMS SYMBOLS
Maximum allowable instantaneous light power in pulse or CW mode. Up
Output Optical Power Pop
to this output level there are no kinks in the light-current curve.
The forward current through the LD which necessary for the LD to
Operating Current Iop
produce its specified typical optical output power.
Operating Voltage Vop The forward voltage across the LD by forwarding operating current.
Wavelength λp The wavelength of the laser spectral line with the greatest intensity.
Watt-Ampere/ Slope/ The value of the incremental change in the laser beam power for an
SE
Efficiency incremental change in forward current above the threshold current.
The monitoring photodiode current is proportional to LD laser output
Monitoring Current Im
power/ at a specified reverse bias voltage.
The forward current value at which the LD begins to produce laser
Threshold Current Ith
output.
Laser Beam Divergency/ In The laser beams full angular at the half-maximum intensity (FWHM),
Ө ||
Horizontal Plane measured in horizontal plane/parallel to the LD p-n junction plane.
Laser Beam Divergency/ In The laser beams full angular at the half-maximum intensity (FWHM),
Ө┴
Vertical Plane measured in vertical plane/perpendicular to the LD p-n junction plane.
Maximum admissible reverse bias voltage, which may be applied to the
LD Reverse Voltage Vr
LD without damaging.
Maximum admissible reverse bias voltage, which may be applied to the
PD Bias Voltage Vrb
monitoring PD without a damage.
Operating Temperature Topr Range of the case temperature within which LD may be safely stored.
Range of the ambient temperature within which LDM may be safely
Storage Temperature Tstg
stored.
Forward Current If Current through the forward biased LD.
Forward Bias Voltage Vf Laser diode voltage by an applied forward bias.
LASER DIODE OPTICAL POWER OUTPUT vs. FORWARD CURRENT
LASER DIODE OUTPUT BEAM DIVERGENCY / FAR FIELD PATTERN
LASER DIODE OUTPUT SPECTRUM CHARACTERISTICS
Some Important Reference Characteristics and Items
ITEMS SYMBOLS
Radiation Angle Deviation in The deviation of the optical axis of thelaser beam from the mechanical
Δɸ ║
Horizontal Plane axis of the package, measured parallel to the p-n junction plane.
Radiation Angle Deviation in The deviation of the optical axis of the laser beam from mechanical axis
Δɸ ┴
Vertical Plane of the package, measured perpendicular to the p-n junction plane.
Monitoring Photodiode Bias Vbias Allowable reverse bias for the monitor photodiode.
Monitor Photodiode Dark The current through the reverse biased monitor photodiode when the
ID
Current laser is not emitted and without any illumination to photodiode.
LASER DIODE PACKAGE REFERENCE POINTS
Precautions for Use
1. Absolute Maximum Ratings
Do not exceed, even momentarily, the maximum ratings.
When laser diode is driven in excess of the maximum ratings, it causes not only instant breakdown or deterioration but
also considerable reduction in reliability.
a) Laser diode may be damaged by surge current generated at power on-off operation.
Check on the transient characteristics of power supply to make sure that such surge current does not exceed
the maximum ratings.
b) The maximum ratings are specified by case temperature at 25°C. Design should be made well to work with
temperature. As temperature goes up, power dissipation as well as maximum light output power is reduced.
2. Soldering Conditions
Maximum temperature is set at 260°C and soldering time is within 3.0 seconds and minimum clearance of 1.6mm from
the root of a lead is necessary.
3. Prevention of breakdown due to static electricity or surge current
Laser diode may be adversely affected by static electricity and surge current and, consequently causes breakdown of
element and reduction of reliability unless the following cares are taken :
a) Power supply, installation and measuring equipment should be grounded.
A noise filter or noise-cut transformer is to be provided to power supply input utilized.
b) During operation, working clothes, hats and shoes should be static-protected when in use.
Also, a workman body should be static-protected by use of an earth-band or the like and grounded through high resis-
tance
(500kW-1MW).
c) A soldering iron should be grounded to protect laser diodes from voltage leak.
d) Any container for carriage and storage should be static-protected.
e) Avoid using laser diodes at a place where high frequent surge current may be generated as an inductive electric field
gives breakdown or deterioration. (Avoid being placed around fluorescent grow lamp, for example).
4. Package Handling
a) Package must not be cut off, reworked nor deformed. Do not hold the cap of laser diode tight, otherwise it may bring
about cracks onto the window glass.
b) Do not touch the surface of the window glass.
Any scratch or contamination may result in reduction of optical characteristics.
c) Remove small contaminations on the surface softly using a cotton stick with a small amount of methyl alcohol.
Precautions for Use
5. Temperature Characteristics 25˚ C 50˚ C 70˚ C
Output power P
Laser characteristics (wavelength, operating current) vary
with temperature, and variation is more extreme at shorter
wavelength. We recommend installing an APC circuit to
maintain a constant output because operating current var-
ies significantly with temperature. By the same token, laser
reliability can be improved by designing products based on
their heat release characteristics. Since laser reliability falls
off steeply at a higher temperature, never allow the case to
exceed the operating temperature range given in specifi- Forward current IF
cations while a laser is in use.
Temperature characteristics of I-L curves
6. COD (Catastrophic Optical Damage) Level
COD level
If current is flowing into the forward direction and output
continues to rise following a kink or other deviation, then
the laser eventually reaches facet breakdown (COD) level Kink level
where the crystal at the facet melts due to the high optical
Output power P
density. Special care must be taken in the handling of red
lasers because they may continue to oscillate with a low
power of 2 to 3mW even after occurring facet breakdown.
There are several ways to tell whether an element is
damaged or destroyed, such as through a far field pattern
or an increase in the operating current. The life of a laser is
significantly curtailed once the element is damaged, so
special care must be taken to avoid not only excessing Forward current IF
current when adjusting the output, but surge like static Output power vs. Forward current (P-IF)
electricity as well.
7. Thermal Radiation
Make sure that a thermal radiating plate (W30´L30´t5mm)
made of aluminum or some other high thermal conduct-
ing materials is mounted to laser diode. The reliability of Thermal radiating plate
laser diode is closely linked to junction temperature, so (Al or Cu)
reliability rapidly declines at a higher temperature. Do not
overlook thermal radiation.
8. Measuring Light Output Power
Laser diode
Use a light power meter to measure light output power of
laser diodes. When measuring with APC drive, set a power Power meter
meter at an angle as shown in the right figure so that a
photodiode in a laser diode is not exposed to reflected
light from the power meter.
20˚
Laser Safety
The output light from laser diode is visible or invisible, and harmful to a human eye. Avoid looking at the output light of
laser diode directly or even indirectly through a lens while oscillating. When an optical axis is to be adjusted to a laser
beam and outer optical systems, a laser beam should be observed through an infrared TV camera or other equipment.
Particularly when the light is collimated or focused through a lens, safety glasses should be worn and care
should be taken to absolutely protect human eyes from the directly entering beam.
CAUTION- - THE USE OF OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH THIS PRODUCT WILL INCREASE EYE HAZARD.
Refer to IEC 825-1 and 21 CFR 1040. 10 - 1040. 11 as a radiation safety standard as to laser products.
[Link]
[Link]
LASER RADIATION INVISIBLE LASER RADIATION
AVOID EXPOSURE TO BEAM AVOID EXPOSURE TO BEAM
CLASS 3B LASER PRODUCT CLASS 3B LASER PRODUCT
<500mW CW 400-695nm <500mW CW 700-980nm
IEC 60825-1:2007 IEC 60825-1:2007
LASER DIODE LASER DIODE
AVOID EXPOSURE AVOID EXPOSURE
Visible laser radiation Visible laser radiation
is emitted from this aperture is emitted from this aperture
For further information about any of our products please contact
your local distributor or you can contact Global Laser in the UK. Your
Local Distributor Is:
T: +44 (0)1495 212213
F:+44 (0)1495 214004
E: sales@[Link]
[Link]
Global Laser Ltd
Unit 9-10
ISO9001 Certified Roseheyworth Business Park
Abertillery. Gwent NP13 1SP UK
9090-05-072 Rev 2 20/10/2015
