ABSTRACT
Laser diodes providing high optical output power show numerous advantages in comparison to conventional high-power laser systems. Superior features are high electrical-to-optical power conversion efficiency, small size, reliable operation and low price. The main uses of high-power laser diodes include optical pumping for solid state lasers and fibre amplifiers, optical data storage, free-space data communication, material treatment, medical applications and infrared illumination. Depending on the specific application, the laser diodes are optimized with regard to high optical output power, spectral and spatial beam quality or emission wavelength. In this chapter, the basic criteria for the design of high-power laser diodes and laser diode arrays are discussed together with a presentation of state-of-the-art device implementations.
