Patent ID: 8194248

Claim:
A method of optimizing optical alignment in an optical package comprising a laser diode, a wavelength conversion device, coupling optics positioned along an optical path extending from the laser diode to the wavelength conversion device, and one or more adaptive actuators coupled to the laser diode, the coupling optics, the wavelength conversion device, or combinations thereof, the method comprising: adjusting the optical alignment of the wavelength conversion device in a non-adaptive degree of freedom during assembly or calibration of the optical package by referring to a thermally-dependent output intensity profile of the laser diode and a thermally-dependent coupling efficiency profile of the optical package, wherein the adjustment in the non-adaptive degree of freedom is quantified such that, over a given operating temperature range of the optical package, portions of the coupling efficiency profile characterized by relatively low coupling efficiency offset portions of the output intensity profile characterized by relatively high laser output intensity and portions of the coupling efficiency profile characterized by relatively high coupling efficiency offset portions of the output intensity profile characterized by relatively low laser output intensity; and utilizing the adaptive actuator to adjust the optical alignment of the wavelength conversion device in at least one adaptive degree of freedom wherein the adjustment in the adaptive degree of freedom is quantified to optimize a wavelength-converted output intensity of the optical package.