Efficient and High-Brightness Broad Area Laser Diodes Designed for High-Temperature Operation: Advantages of semiconductor laser diodes as efficient high-power laser light sources applicable at elevated ambient temperatures

Semiconductor laser diodes, manufactured as single emitters or laser bars, are highly desired light sources for direct material processing as well as optical pumping of fiber and solid-state lasers. Laser diodes feature high optical output power and efficiency, long lifetimes, low maintenance and consequently low cost of ownership. To improve the usability and extend the application spectrum of high-power laser diodes, relaxed cooling requirements -- without compromise in laser performance and lifetime -- are required. Therefore, great development efforts are made, both in externally and internally funded research projects, to push the maximum permissible operating temperature of such semiconductor laser diodes to higher levels. © 2020 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.