Abstract: A semiconductor laser device with reduced threshold current and power consumption. Reflectivity Rr at a rear face of an optical cavity of the laser is set as large as possible. A monitor photodiode used for controlling an output form the laser is provided on a mount at a position to detect the main laser beam emitted from the front face of the optical cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously stabilising the output power and wavelength of a semiconductor laser is disclosed. A wavelength discriminating scheme is used to provide a wavelength error signal and an output power detection scheme is used to provide an output power level signal. The wavelength error signal is used to adjust the behaviour of a temperature sensor such that an automatic temperature control (ATC) module configured to maintain a pre-determined output from the temperature sensor, adjusts the actual laser temperature to minimize said signal. The output power level signal is directly delivered to an automatic power control (APC) module, which adjusts the drive current fed into the laser to minimize said signal using known control circuitry means.