Nonradiative power dissipation within and near the active region of a high power single mode slab coupled optical waveguide laser is directly measured by CCD-based thermoreflectance, including its variation with device bias. By examining the high spatial resolution temperature profile at the optical output facets, we quantify heat spreading from the source in the active region both downward to the substrate and upward to the metal top contact.
High-power-coupled CO2 waveguide laser array