Abstract: An optically isolated TO-can including a header with electrical connections, a laser diode mounted on the header, and a lens cap positioned over the laser diode so as to enclose and hermetically seal the laser diode. The optically isolated TO-can includes an optical isolator positioned in the TO-can adjacent the laser diode and in the light path of light generated by the laser diode.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention relate to the use of precise etching techniques in the construction of high quality lasers. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, Focused Ion Beam Etching (FIBE) of a semiconductor stripe in a multi-mode edge-emitting Fabry-Perot (FP) laser may allow the rapid and effective fabrication of a single mode laser and/or a surface emitting laser. The use of FIBE or other precise etching techniques allows precise control over the dimension, angle, and orientation of etched features, and offers extremely smooth surfaces that reduce optical loss in the resulting device.