Patent ID: 6865199

Claim:
A method for using an uncooled laser package having pre-established performance specifications that include a pre-established optical power level at a second set of performance specifications that include a second optical power level greater than the pre-established optical power level, said method comprising the steps of: applying a bias level to a laser diode in the uncooled laser package that optimizes distortion and causes the laser package to generate the second optical power level, said bias level being greater than a pre-established bias level specified to generate the pre-established optical power level; and externally heating or cooling the uncooled laser package to maintain a substantially constant laser diode temperature, wherein the externally heating or cooling step heats or cools the uncooled laser package based on monitoring of a photocurrent generated by a photodiode that collects light from a back-facet of the laser diode, and further wherein the step of externally heating or cooling is performed without relying upon a temperature sensing device to determine a current laser diode temperature.