Thermal Properties of High Power Laser Bars Investigated by Spatially Resolved Thermoreflectance Spectroscopy

Abstract

In this work we present results of the analysis of thermal properties of high-power laser bars obtained by spatially resolved thermoreflectance (TR) spectroscopy. Thermoreflectance is a modulation technique relying on periodic facet temperature modulation induced by pulsed current supply of the laser. The periodic temperature change of the laser induces variation of the refractive index and consequently modulates probe beam reflectivity. The technique has a spatial resolution of about ~1 $\mu$m and can be used for temperature mapping over 300 $\mu$m x 300 $\mu$m area. Information obtained in these experiments provide an insight into thermal processes occurring at devices' facets and consequently lead to increased reliability and substantially longer lifetimes of such structures.