Numerical emulation of the degradation of 975nm high power tapered laser bars

Abstract

We have demonstrated the simulation tool for both single and multiple emitters. Investigations of a model bar with a non-uniform temperature distribution showed that the hotter emitters at the centre of the bar drew more current and emitted higher powers, but also degraded faster than the cooler edge emitters. Similar behaviour has been observed experimentally. However, the simulation results for a real bar showed poor agreement with the observed power distribution. This was attributed to thermal crosstalk between the emitters and is being addressed by the introduction of a global thermal model to Barlase.