Laser structure including cooling assembly

Abstract

A laser package includes a laser with first and second spaced terminals and a layer between the terminals with properties of emitting light when voltage pulses are applied between the terminals. A current of a particular magnitude is produced between the terminals in the time periods between the voltage pulses. The voltage required to produce such current is dependent upon the layer temperature. Variations in this voltage produce variations in the rate of pulses from a thermoelectric cooler included in the laser package. Variations in the rate of such pulses from the thermoelectric cooler affect the rate at which heat is withdrawn by the thermoelectric cooler from the laser. A cooler body is disposed adjacent to the thermoelectric member and is constructed to pass a cooling fluid through the cooler body to cool the thermoelectric member. The cooling fluid passes through an inlet port to a plurality of channels converging at a central recess. This causes the fluid in the recess to be turbulent, thereby increasing the rate at which heat is withdrawn from the central portion of the laser package where the temperature of the laser package is at a maximum. Because the turbulence is greatest only where it must have the highest heat transfer coefficient, the pressure drop, and hence the power necessary to pump the fluid, is minimized. The fluid then flows from the recess through a passageway to an outlet port.