Influence of laser parameters and unpumped regions near the facets on the power level for catastrophic optical damage in short wavelength lasers

A static model for facet heating and thermal runaway in double heterostructure laser diodes leading to catastrophic optical damage (COD) has been implemented. This model has been used to investigate the influence of unpumped facet regions. It has also been shown how optimisation of the device parameters can result in a higher COD power level. With the results of this analysis, the parameter-set of a laser emitting at 780 nm has been improved, resulting in a COD power level that is 1.5 times higher