Pump Laser Diodes Push High Peak Power

A peak power output of 1,100 mW without the danger of catastrophic optical damage (COD) makes a pair of 980-nm ridge-wavelength pump laser diodes well suited for dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) fiber optic communications applications. The ML861E5S achieves its 1,100 mW peak and 750 mW kink-level output through a new window structure developed from quantum-well mixing using silicon-ion implantation. The window structure prevents COD because it does not absorb the light power output. The structure also reduces the laser-beam aspect ratio to enable more efficient coupling between laser and optical fiber. The uncooled ML8627S pump laser diode uses facet coating to stabilize the wavelength over a wide temperature range (5°C to 85ºC). And facet coatings make for lower cost compared with traditional fiber gratings used in long-reach and submarine cable communication networks. In sample quantities, price is $609 each for the ML861E5S and $287 for the ML8627S. MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC AND ELECTRONICS USA INC., Sunnyvale, CA. (408) 774-3191.