Theory and modelling of the power conversion efficiency of large optical cavity laser diodes

Analytical and semi-analytical theory and numerical modelling of the major physical effects limiting the power conversion efficiency of semiconductor lasers at high injection currents are presented and overviewed. It is shown that the deterioration of output efficiency due to absorption by carriers in the Optical Confinement Layer is likely to be the main cause of efficiency degradation at high currents in most structures. Spatial Hole burning compounds this effect further; the effect of Two-Photon absorption is significant but somewhat less important in most structures.