Producción CientíficaThe catastrophic optical damage (COD) of laser diodes consists of the sudden drop off of the optical power. COD is
generally associated with a thermal runaway mechanism in which the active zone of the laser is molten in a positive
feedback process. The full sequence of the degradation follows different phases: in the first phase, a weak zone of the laser
is incubated and the temperature is locally increased there; when a critical temperature is reached the thermal runaway
process takes place. Usually, the positive feedback leading to COD is circumscribed to the sequential enhancement of the
optical absorption in a process driven by the increase of the temperature. However, the meaning of the critical temperature
has not been unambiguously established. Herein, we will discuss about the critical temperature, and the physical
mechanisms involved in this process. The influence of the progressive deterioration of the thermal conductivity of the laser
structure as a result of the degradation during the laser operation will be addressed.Junta de Castilla y León (programa de apoyo a proyectos de investigación – Ref. VA302U13
