Patent ID: 6151344
Filing Date: 2000-11-21
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
A method of controlling the output power of a semiconductor laser comprising the steps of:using a lateral detector to monitor spontaneous lateral emissions from the semiconductor laser;generating a difference signal from a reference signal and an output signal of the lateral detector indicative of the spontaneous lateral emissions detected by the lateral detector;adjusting a magnitude of the difference signal in accordance with a gain factor determined by:measuring the output signal of the lateral detector at a first temperature and a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is greater than the first temperature;measuring the drive signal at the first temperature and the second temperature;generating a first difference current by subtracting a value of the output signal of the lateral detector at the first temperature from a value of the output signal of the lateral detector at the second temperature;generating a second difference current by subtracting a value of the drive signal at the first temperature from a value of the drive signal at the second temperature; anddividing second difference current by the first difference current to generate the gain factor; andproviding the difference signal to the semiconductor laser to control the output power of the semiconductor laser.