Patent ID: 6724791
Filing Date: 2004-04-20
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
A laser diode assembly in a telecommunications network comprising:a module of a preselected configuration housing the laser diode, a thermoelectric cooling element having opposing surfaces, a first of said opposing surfaces being a controlled surface maintained at a selected operating temperature and a second of said opposing surfaces being an uncontrolled surface for transfer heat to and from said cooling element, a heat sink positioned in thermal contact with said cooling element second surface, said module having a heat transfer surface positioned oppositely of said cooling element first surface, a thermally conductive material filling the space between said module heat transfer surface and said cooling element first surface, said thermally conductive material having at least one surface conforming to said module heat transfer surface and to said cooling element first surface to place said module in thermal contact with said cooling element for transfer of heat therebetween, and a measuring device mechanically supported by said conductive material for detecting a change in the temperature of said cooling element first surface from the operating temperature and adjusting the current applied to said cooling element to transfer heat between said module, said cooling element, and said heat sink to maintain said cooling element at the operating temperature.