Investigations on electro-optical and thermal performances degradation of high power density GaAs-based laser diode in vacuum environment

J. Michaud (1) , G. Pedroza (2) , L. Béchou (3) , L.S. How (4) , O. Gilard (5) , D. Veyrié (5) , F. Laruelle (6) , S. Grauby (1)

1 LOMA - Laboratoire Ondes et Matière d'Aquitaine
2 ALPhANOV
3 IMS - Laboratoire de l'intégration, du matériau au système
4 AdvEOTec
5 CNES - Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse]
6 35 Photonics

Pump laser diodes emitting at 980 nm are typically used in distribution network transmission systems and are now implemented in space missions for intra-satellite communication links and calibration systems. Nevertheless, since the pump source is potentially a critical point for such systems, there is a huge need to assess their reliability in space environment, especially in terms of operation under vacuum conditions. We have then studied the electro-optical behavior of several 980 nm laser diodes and shown that they may degrade more rapidly when submitted to a vacuum environment. Then, spatially resolved temperature variations have been measured by thermoreflectance on the laser diode front facet and have shown a temperature variation increase under vacuum conditions, in particular near the emission region, where a catastrophic optical damage is most likely to occur. This temperature variation increase could then be one of the causes for the more rapid laser diode degradation.

Mots clés: Laser diode; Thermal mapping; Thermoreflectance; Electro-optical characterization; Vacuum

Domaines: Optique [physics.optics]; Micro et nanotechnologies/Microélectronique

J. Michaud, G. Pedroza, L. Béchou, L.S. How, O. Gilard, et al.. Investigations on electro-optical and thermal performances degradation of high power density GaAs-based laser diode in vacuum environment. Microelectronics Reliability, 2015, 55 (9-10), pp.1746-1749. ⟨10.1016/j.microrel.2015.06.068⟩. ⟨hal-01256856⟩