Patent ID: 7330491

Claim:
A laser diode package, comprising: a laser diode bar containing a plurality of active regions in which electrical energy is converted to optical energy, said laser diode bar having a first side and a second side; a current path for each of said plurality of active regions, each of said current paths delivering said electrical energy to an associated one of said active regions, each current path including a fusible region configured to melt in response to current exceeding a predetermined value, said current path including a unitary metal foil located external to said laser diode bar, said unitary metal foil including a plurality of integrally connected links comprised of fusible material, said plurality of integrally connected links providing said fusible regions; and a heat sink in electrical contact with said first side of said laser diode bar, and wherein said unitary metal foil is a lid having said plurality of integrally connected links in electrical contact with said second side of said laser diode bar, each link providing said current path for at least one of said plurality of active regions.