Pulsed and continuous-wave thermal characteristics of external-cavity surface-emitting laser diodes

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Abstract
The thermal characteristics of p‐type substrate external‐cavity surface‐emitting laser diodes (SELDs) under pulsed and continuous‐wave operation are studied both theoretically and experimentally. The theoretical work establishes models for the current flow, spontaneous emission transfer, heat generation, and temperature rise in the laser. The models incorporate the reduced and anisotropic electrical and thermophysical properties of the Bragg reflectors. The temperature rise at the active region of an external‐cavity SELD is determined by measuring the output wavelength as a function of the injection current, modulation frequency, and substrate temperature. Simulation results agree reasonably well with experimental data on the external‐cavity SELD. It is shown that the thermal resistance of the studied laser is smaller than previously reported values for the n‐type substrate SELDs because of the current spreading in the p‐type mirror and its close proximity to the substrate.