Abstract: A laser oscillator is provided that makes it possible to stably obtain a laser beam output in continuous or pulsed oscillation that has an intensity distribution of a top-hat profile or a fundamental transverse mode profile. An optical resonator is used that maintains the polarization of a laser beam traveling in the resonator but rotates the transverse mode pattern thereof. The resonator can be a ring resonator that includes an image rotating element, a nonplanar ring resonator, a diagonally crossed right-angle prism resonator or other such resonator. A combination of a polarizer, and a half-wave plate or Faraday rotator is used to preserve the polarization in the resonator. The optical path of the laser resonator can be intersected with another resonator of a conventional Fabry-Perot or planar ring resonator, and the optical paths coupled, using a beam-splitter or polarizer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a semiconductor based parabolic waveguide-type collimating lens and a monolithically integrated type tunable external cavity laser diode light source.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel arrangement of optical devices for the rapid patterning of laser profiles used for desorption and/or ionization sources in analytical mass spectrometry. Specifically, the new optical arrangement provides for a user-defined laser pattern at the sample target that can be quickly changed (on a microsecond timescale) to different dimensions (or shapes) for subsequent laser firings.

Abstract: An optical system includes semiconductor lasers arranged in the direction of the slow axis of the laser beam, an optical means which makes parallel the collimated laser beams, an optical member which is provided with inlet and outlet faces which are positioned in perpendicular to the optical axis of laser beams and total reflection surfaces which are opposed to each other at a space where the component in the direction of the slow axis of the laser beam entering from the light inlet face repeats internal reflection, and emits from the light outlet face a slow axis uniform laser beam, and an imaging optical means which images the slow axis uniform laser beam on a surface as a linear line beam extending in the direction of the slow axis.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser diode optically coupled to an optical fiber is mounted on a stem. A cap having a light transmissive hole between the optical fiber and the semiconductor laser diode is fixed to the stem. A ball lens is fixed in the light transmissive hole. The ball lens has a refractive index of 1.9 or more and a diameter between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm.

Abstract: An inventive transceiver includes a transmitter for outputting plural beams of electromagnetic energy. In the illustrative embodiment, the transmitter is a vertical cavity surface emitting laser. Plural beams output by the transmitter are directed to the detector by an array of diffractive optical elements. In the preferred embodiment, the optical elements are fabricated by imprinting a pattern on a high temperature film substrate using an ultraviolet epoxy. The use of a vertical cavity surface emitting laser allows for high data rates while the diffractive optical arrangement allows for a compact design.

Abstract: A symmetrization device and laser diode system using such a device is shown. The device has adjacent lens components transforming beamlets from a laser diode array. Each lens component has input and output surfaces, each having a profile in the propagation direction of the beamlets and a contour perpendicularly thereto. The profiles of the input and output surfaces and distances therebetween are selected to permute the divergence along the slow and fast axes of the beamlets. The contour of each surface matches the cross-sectional shape of the beamlets thereat.

Abstract: Provided is a VECSEL capable of achieving an excellent efficiency of a SHG crystal and being manufactured in a compact size. The VECSEL includes a laser chip, an external mirror, an SHG crystal, a lens element, and a wavelength selective mirror. The laser chip generates a first wavelength light, and the external mirror is spaced from the laser chip to face the front side of the laser chip. The SHG crystal is located between the external mirror and the laser chip to double the frequency of the first wavelength light to make a second wavelength light. The lens element is located between the SHG crystal and the laser chip to allow the first wavelength light generated from the laser chip to converge at the SHG crystal, and the wavelength selective mirror is located between the SHG crystal and the lens element to transmit the first wavelength light and reflect the second wavelength light to the external mirror.

Abstract: A optical data processing apparatus included a light source, an optical system that concentrates light from the light source to an optical data storage medium, and a mechanism that scans the concentrated laser light on the optical data storage medium, the light source includes at least one Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL) device that emits laser light, the at least one VCSEL device included an active region and a current-confined portion between first and second mirrors that form a vertical resonator structure, and an opening having a diameter equal to or larger than about 4 micrometers is formed in the current-confined portion for applying current.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser device including a laser element stack array emitting a two-dimensional array shaped group of laser beams consisting of rows of laser beams arranged linearly in parallel in a broken line configuration and optical elements arranged in front of the array, receiving rows of laser beams bent and collimated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the orientation of the broken line configuration. Laser beams are emitted from emitters or groups of emitters and are rotated by right angles so as to convert the laser beams to a plurality of rows aligned in parallel in an approximate ladder rung configuration and the distance between center axes of the rows of laser beams is shortened to condense the laser beams by converting them to a group of laser beams emitted from a common object and thereby making all laser beams converge to a single image.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polarization dependency-free, gain-saturated high function semiconductor optical amplifier and optical module at industrially low cost. The gist of the present invention is to structurally separate the optical signal propagating waveguide from another optical waveguide which serves as a lasing optical cavity for optical amplification in such a manner that the two optical waveguides are formed in the same plane but not parallel to each other.

Abstract: To provide a surface-emitting light emitting device including an optical member whose mounting position, form, and size have been favorably controlled, and a method of manufacturing the same, as well as an optical module and an optical transmission apparatus that include this surface-emitting light emitting device, the surface-emitting light emitting device of the present invention can emit light perpendicular to a substrate and includes an emitting surface that emits the light, a base member that is provided on the emitting surface, and an optical member that is provided on an upper surface of the base member.

Abstract: A laser device capable of efficiently oscillating laser light and always obtaining a stable beam form is provided. For this purpose, in the laser device including an amplifying section (18) in which a laser medium is amplified to oscillate laser light (11), and an optical element for separating part of the laser light (11) oscillated, and shaping a beam form of the laser light (11) into a desired form to output the same, wherein the optical element has at least either one of a partial reflecting portion (26) for partially reflecting the laser light (11) or a non-reflective portion (28) for transmitting the laser light (11) at high transmissivity, each of which is provided on approximately a center portion, and a total reflecting portion (27) which is provided outside a perimeter of the partial reflecting portion (26) or the non-reflective portion (28), and which reflects the laser light (11) at high reflectivity.

Abstract: A laser marking mechanism includes a housing, a laser module in the housing, first and second reflecting lenses, and a third lens; the laser module has a laser emitting end directed at an inside of the housing; the reflecting lenses are positioned in front of the laser emitting end of the laser module, sloping and parallel to each other, for making a laser beam emitted from the laser emitting end become two laser beams; the third lens is arranged in the housing, across passages of the two laser beams from the reflecting lenses, for changing the two laser beams from the reflecting lenses in such a way that the laser beams will form two light lines on a surface of an object.

Abstract: A vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) module includes a substrate provided with an etched region formed on a lower surface thereof, a plurality of layers, for photoproduction, laminated on an upper surface of the substrate, and a VCSEL for emitting the light upwards and downwards, wherein the VCSEL module monitors the output of the VCSEL by detecting the light emitted downwards from the VCSEL.

Abstract: A collimation assembly for a multi-beamed laser scanner including a collimation housing mounted to a printhead housing of the laser scanner, and at least two adjustment brackets supported on the collimation housing and located adjacent to each other in a cross-scan direction. Each of the adjustment brackets includes a mount member and a laser light source is supported within each of the mount members, each of the light sources defining a respective light beam axis. At least two collimation lenses are also provided supported on the collimation housing and intersected by one of the light beam axes. Each of the adjustment brackets is movable relative to the collimation housing in a scan direction and in the cross-scan direction to locate each of the light beam axes at a predetermined position relative to a respective collimation lens.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laser processing device that can change the diameter of a beam spot on an object to be processed, without using a mechanism for changing a distance between a condensing lens and the object. A beam emitted from a laser beam source is condensed by the condensing lens, and is made incident to an optical fiber. The beam emitted from the optical fiber is condensed by a condensing optical system onto an object to be processed. The object is welded using the condensed beam. The laser processing device comprises an adjusting unit that can change the angle of divergence of the beam on the emission surface of the optical fiber. The adjusting unit changes the angle of divergence of the beam, thereby to change the diameter of the beam spot formed on the surface of the object.

Abstract: A laser module with trimming capacity has a base having an indented portion formed thereon so as to be non-annular in configuration. A lens is disposed inside the base. A laser diode is disposed inside the base and behind the lens. A printed circuit board electrically connects the laser diode. Alternatively, the base has a polygonal rotation portion, instead of the indented portion, disposed on an external surface thereof.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser device has a semiconductor laser and a polarizing diffraction grating that is arranged ahead of the semiconductor laser. A reflected light from an optical recording medium is diffracted by the polarizing diffraction grating according to the polarization direction of the reflected light. The reflected light is thereby deviated from the direction toward the semiconductor laser to prevent the reflected light from returning to the semiconductor laser.

Abstract: A wavelength measurement system uses birefringent material waveplate, thereby producing a substantially sinusoidal spectral response. As a result, the responses of multiple birefringent filters can be combined to yield a filter system with a periodic frequency response that has an additive wavelength resolution that is spectrally stable. That is, the wavelength measurement system does not have regions where wavelength resolution is degraded. In one implementation, a waveplate system 112 is used, placed between two blocks of birefringent material 110 and 114. A quadrant detector 116 is used to detect the intensities of the resulting four beams.

Abstract: A laser system is constructed so that a solid-state laser beam emitted from an Nd:YAG laser unit and a laser diode beam emitted from a combining LD which oscillates in a wavelength range shorter than that of the solid-state laser beam are combined by a dichroic beam splitter, the resultant beam is guided to an optical fiber, and a workpiece is irradiated with the combining LD beam and the solid-state laser beam with absolute irradiation positions and irradiation shapes of the beams almost matched each other. Thus, problems of high cost and high power consumption of the laser system due to low energy conversion efficiency, which become problems in a high-output high-luminance solid-state laser unit can be solved.

Abstract: An adjustable laser module has a main body, a laser generator provided in the hollow interior of the main body at a first end thereof for emitting a laser beam, a cylindrical lens provided in the hollow interior at a second end thereof, a first adjusting device coupled to the first end and the laser generator for adjusting the angle of the laser generator with respect to the main body, and a second adjusting device coupled to the second end and the cylindrical lens for adjusting the angle of the cylindrical lens with respect to the main body.

Abstract: A laser includes a chamber having a front mirror and a back mirror defining a optical propagation path. An optical gain medium such as a solid state disk, rod or slab is located between the front and back mirrors within the chamber to produce a laser light along the optical propagation path. A birefringent lens formed from an optically active material is located within the chamber to simultaneously focus the laser light and to affect the polarity of the laser light as the light passes through the birefringent lens.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is provided. For example, the apparatus may include a single or a plurality of stacked-array laser diodes, first beam compressors, and a separating optical device separating the group of laser beams into subgroups of laser beams in a first direction, and deflecting the subgroups of laser beams so that the subgroups of laser beams approach in the first direction and recede from one another in a second direction. In addition, a collimating optical device may be provided which is adapted to deflect the subgroups of laser beams in the first and second directions by the same angles. Further, a beam converter may be included which divides each subgroup of laser beams and turning the axis thereof, and second beam compressors and a group of cylindrical lenses can be provided that can make the angle of divergence in the first direction close to the angle of divergence in the second direction.

Abstract: A light beam scanning device includes a light source section, a deflector and a reflection type optical system. The light source section is provided with three laser light sources. These laser light sources utilizes different modulation systems depending on corresponding semiconductor lasers. That is, the red-light laser light source and the blue-light laser light source each utilize a direct modulation system and the green-light laser light source utilizes an external modulation system using an external modulator (AOD). Reflecting mirrors and, the deflector and an arcsine mirror, which form the reflection type optical system, are arranged sequentially along an optical path at the side of the light source section from which light is emitted. Accordingly, laser light emitted from the light source section is guided only by the reflection type optical system to a recording material. As a result, no correction for light beams of different wavelengths is required.

Abstract: A method of enhancing wavelength tuning performance in an external cavity laser includes emitting light into the cavity of the laser at a range of angles relative to an optical axis of the cavity, and transforming emitted light of narrow beam divergence to light with beam divergence wider than the narrow beam divergence. The method further includes diffractively focusing the light of wider beam divergence.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical device for focusing a laser beam, comprising a source of emission of a laser beam, for example a substantially elliptic and astigmatic laser beam, a focusing lens of the laser beam and first aperture adapted to select a central portion of the laser beam. The first aperture is directly applied on the focusing lens, and comprises a coating made of a substantially opaque material which are applied (for example, by spraying, sputtering, evaporation, printing, painting) on a peripheral portion of a front surface of the focusing lens so as to allow the propagation of the central portion of the laser beam and obstruct the propagation of a surrounding portion of beam. The device of the invention is extremely simple from the constructive point of view, and is inexpensive and small-sized.

Abstract: Apparatus for projecting a line of light includes a linear array of diode-lasers arranged in a diode-laser bar. The apparatus includes an optical system. Components of the system include a plurality of lenses and array of cylindrical microlenses having the same spacing as diode-lasers in the diode-laser array. The microlens array is spaced at a distance from the diode-laser bar and aligned with the diode-laser bar such that the front focal plane of the microlens array is between the diode-laser bar and the microlens array. The optical system components are configured and arranged to project overlapping elongated images in a predetermined plane. The overlapping images form the line of light. The elongated images are images of cross-sections of beams from the diode-lasers where the beams are intersected by the front focal plane of the microlens array.

Abstract: A radially non-symmetric beamforming element for transforming the input energy profile of an input laser beam subject to lateral shift that is variable in radial direction and magnitude into a desired output energy profile of an output laser beam. The beam forming element includes an optical element having a profile transformation function that includes a first profile transformation function for transforming the input energy profile into the desired output energy profile and a profile correction transformation function superimposed on the first profile transformation function for modifying the first profile transformation function to correct distortions in the output energy profile introduced be a lateral shift of the input laser beam.

Abstract: The present invention has the object of offering a laser resonator capable of maintaining high amplification efficiency even if the thermal lensing effect occurring in the laser medium varies during operation or over repeated operation and suspension of the laser device. The laser resonator comprises at least a pair of reflection portions (planar reflective mirrors 3) provided such as to allow a laser beam to oscillate therebetween; a laser medium provided on the optical path of the laser between the pair of reflection portions; an excitation portion (excitation laser device 5) for exciting the laser medium; an optical system (convex lens 1) provided on the optical path of the laser beam between the laser medium and the pair of reflection portions for changing the state of the laser in the laser medium; and a movement portion for moving the optical system along the optical axis of the laser.

Abstract: A method of enhancing wavelength tuning performance in an external cavity laser includes providing a diffractive focusing element, emitting light into the cavity of the laser at a range of angles relative to an optical axis of the cavity, and diffractively focusing the light back onto the optical axis at a wavelength-dependent focal distance using the diffractive focusing element. The method further includes confining the diffractive focusing to a high dispersivity portion of the diffractive focusing element. In various embodiments, the confining may include offsetting the diffractive focusing element radially relative to the optical axis, or selectively blocking a portion of the light emitted into the cavity at emission angles less than a threshold emission angle.

Abstract: The invention provides a surface emission laser which can be operated with low-current drive, and a manufacturing method therefor. The invention also provides a light reception element which provides high-speed modulation, and a manufacturing method therefor. The invention also provides an optical transceiver module which provides enhanced optical connection efficiency. An opening portion from the other surface side of the semiconductor substrate to the end portion on the semiconductor substrate side of the light emission portion is formed on the semiconductor substrate of the surface emission laser, and a lens made of a transparent resin is formed through the use of the side surface of the opening portion.

Abstract: A laser beam transmission apparatus comprises a light-incidence optical system (22) converging and focusing a laser beam emitted from a solid-state laser apparatus (1), and an optical fiber (8) which transmits the laser beam that has been converged and focused by the light-incidence optical system. The light-incidence optical system (22) has at least first and second lenses (13, 14) disposed on the same optical path. A first distance (a) between an output end of the solid-state laser apparatus and the first lens or a second distance (b) between the second lens and a light-incidence end of the optical fiber is freely set according to a relational formula based on a focal distance (f1, f2) of each of the first and second lenses.

Abstract: This invention relates to a semiconductor laser device including a semiconductor laser element with an exit surface from which laser radiation can emerge, a collimating lens means which can reduce the divergence of the laser radiation emerging from the exit surface at least with respect to the first direction (Y) which is essentially perpendicular to the exit direction (Z) of the laser radiation, the semiconductor laser device furthermore including an auxiliary body which is permanently connected both to the semiconductor laser element and also to the collimating lens means. Furthermore, this invention relates to a semiconductor laser module of a semiconductor laser element, an auxiliary body and a collimating lens means and a process for producing the semiconductor laser means.

Abstract: A package for a surface-emitting laser encloses the die between a sub-mount and a cap. The sub-mount and the cap can be formed using wafer processing techniques that permit a wafer level packaging process which attaches multiple die to a sub-mount wafer, attaches caps either separated or as part of a cap wafer to the sub-mount wafer, and cuts the structure to separate individual packages. The cap includes a transparent plate that can be processed to incorporate an optical element such as a lens. An alignment post attached to the cap indicates the position of an optical signal from the laser and fits snugly into one end of a sleeve while an optical fiber connector fits into the other end.

Abstract: A beam parameter monitoring unit for coupling with an excimer or molecular fluorine (F2) laser resonator that produces an output beam having a wavelength below 200 nm includes an on-line laser pulse energy detector. This, in turn, allows output pulse energy stabilization to the same degree of accuracy, which is crucial for stability of exposure dose and other process parameters in microlithography and industrial applications.

Abstract: A planar wafer-level packaging method is provided for a laser and a monitor photo detector. The laser and photo detector are affixed to a planar substrate. The planar substrate provides electrical connections to the components. A lens cap with a microlens is formed and affixed to the substrate with a seal. The lens cap forms a hermetically sealed cavity enclosing the laser and photo detector. The inside surface of the lens cap has a reflective coating with a central opening over the emitting aperture of the laser. The central opening has an anti-reflective coating. Light from the laser is directed and shaped by the lens cap to couple into an external light guide. Residual light from the edge of the laser reflects off the inside surface of the lens cap and is incident upon the photo detector. In an alternate method, the laser may be packaged using flip-chip assembly.

Abstract: An object is to obtain an even energy distribution of a laser beam in one direction, thereby conducting a uniform laser annealing on a film. A laser irradiation apparatus comprising: a lens for dividing a laser beam in one direction; and an optical system for overlapping the divided laser beam, characterized in that the shape of the laser beam entering into the lens has edges vertical to the above-mentioned direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing speckle uses polarization averaging. A polarizing beam splitter divides a first polarized laser output into a second polarized laser output and a third polarized laser output. A plurality of mirrors creates an optical path difference between the second and third polarized laser outputs. The optical path difference is at least about a coherence length for the first polarized laser output. The second and third polarized laser outputs are combined into a fourth laser output, which illuminates a depolarizing screen. If a human eye or an optical system having a intensity detector views the depolarizing screen, the eye or the intensity detector will detect reduced speckle, which results from uncorrelated speckle patterns created by the second polarized laser output and the third polarized laser output. A first alternative embodiment of the invention functions without the optical path difference being at least about the coherence length.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a method and apparatus to generate a laser probe beam free of speckles. The present invention employs a holographic phase plate inserted in a laser beam path to modulate the relative phase across the beam. The holographic phase plate is designed to optimize the phase modulation across the beam while to minimize the degradation of the beam quality. The modulated laser beam has only a small and confined divergent angle and can then be refocused or collimated into a narrow and near collimated probe beam. The present invention further rotates the holographic phase plate to randomize the speckles in a time sequence. As a result, the probe beam preserves substantially the beam quality of a laser and produces substantially no speckles on image of its, intersection with a surface or material.

Abstract: Optical waveguides, lens arrays and laser collecting devices are disclosed. The optical waveguide is formed with an output surface which is made smaller in dimension in a fast axis direction than an input surface. The waveguide collects in the fast axis direction plural laser beams output from plural laser emitting parts arranged in the fast axis direction and outputs from the output surface. The entrance surface of the optical waveguide is provided with first lenses to correspond respectively to the plural laser emitting parts. Each of the first lenses is located to be offset first predetermined distances from a corresponding one of the laser emitting parts in the beam traveling direction and in said fast axis direction, and the first predetermined distances are determined for each of the first lens in taking into account the focal length of each first lens and an angle which each first lens makes with the output surface of the waveguide.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser module including a semiconductor laser device having an integrated diffraction grating configured to output a multiple mode laser beam in the presence of a driving current, an optical fiber configured to guide the multiple mode laser beam to an output of the laser module, and an optical attenuation device configured to attenuate the multiple mode laser beam by an amount sufficient to provide a predetermined output power from the output of the laser module. The optical attenuation device may be an optical coupling lens offset from an optimum coupling position by an amount sufficient to provide the predetermined output power, or an optical attenuator interrupting the optical fiber and configured to attenuate the multiple mode laser beam by an amount sufficient to provide the predetermined output power.

Abstract: Refracting optical system 1 and 2 relatively shift the second laser beam groups together with respect to the first laser beam groups along the layering direction. The transmission/reflecting optical system for alignment 1R, 2R, 1S and 2S are used, so that the laser beam patterns comprised of the first and second laser beam groups which are emitted from the transmission/reflecting optical systems 1R, 2R, 1S and 2S are shaped to be long in the layering direction of the laser bar, and since separate optical systems are used for shift and alignment, respectively, an individual optical system has a simple configuration.

Abstract: By tapering the diameter of a flanged barrel laser rod over its length, the maximum trapped path length of a barrel mode can be dramatically reduced, thereby reducing the ability of the trapped spontaneous emission to negatively impact laser performance through amplified spontaneous emission (ASE). Laser rods with polished barrels and flanged end caps have found increasing application in diode array end-pumped laser systems. The polished barrel of the rod serves to confine diode array pump light within the rod. In systems utilizing an end-pumping geometry and such polished barrel laser rods, the pump light that is introduced into one or both ends of the laser rod, is ducted down the length of the rod via the total internal reflections (TIRs) that occur when the light strikes the rod's barrel. A disadvantage of using polished barrel laser rods is that such rods are very susceptible to barrel mode paths that can trap spontaneous emission over long path lengths.

Abstract: With an optical head, a stimulating ray beam produced by a stimulating ray source is irradiated onto an image carrier supported on a stage, and light emitted by the image carrier is collected and guided toward a photodetector. At least either one of the optical head and the stage is moved with respect to the other and in two-dimensional directions along a plane parallel with the other. The optical head comprises a concave mirror for reflecting the stimulating ray beam, which travels in parallel with the stage, toward the image carrier, and a lens for converging the stimulating ray beam, which has been reflected from the concave mirror, onto the image carrier. The lens and the concave mirror also guide the light, which is emitted by the image carrier, toward the photodetector.

Abstract: A recess 14 is provided in a lens accommodating portion 13 of a laser holder 10 for holding a collimator lens C, whereby positional accuracy and adhesion strength of the lens and a light source are improved.

Abstract: An optical beacon is comprised of a telescope having a primary focal plane or Coudé focal plane, a plurality of fiber coupled laser sources for generating a plurality of beams, a collimator for collimating the plurality of beams, and optics for combining and focusing the plurality of collimated beams onto the primary or Coudé focal plane of the telescope. The telescope propagates the optical beacon, which is arranged into a ring of incoherent plurality of collimated beams. The apparatus further comprises fiber splitters coupled to each laser source to provide at least eight beams from at least four laser sources. The optics comprises a prism assembly, a combiner lens, a focusing lens and a field lens for focusing the plurality of collimated beams onto the primary focal plane or Coudé focal plane of the telescope.

Abstract: A diode pumped solid state laser using a laser diode bar or a stack of bars with cylindrical lenses is used to end pump a rectangular cross section solid state laser slab. The combination of lenses and polished slab surfaces provides overlap of the pump light with the laser mode combined with sufficient length of material to absorb all of the pump light to produce a compact, efficient laser source.

Abstract: A method of fixing an optical component includes the steps of scoring a surface of a support, bringing an optical component into close contact with the scored surface of the support, and flowing a fluid adhesive along kerfs produced by the scoring. An optical component support has a surface provided with scoring kerts for fixing the optical component. The method and support enable fixing of an optical component by a thin, uniform adhesive layer, without fine polishing of the optical component and the surface of the support.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring the optical output of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELS) utilizes a portion of light emitted by the VCSEL and scatters and/or reflects this portion of emitted light so that it is directed towards a detecting surface of a photodetector. In one embodiment, scattering elements may be incorporated within the epoxy or other coupling medium used to couple the VCSEL to the optical fiber. In another embodiment, the VCSEL may be coupled to an optical fiber secured within a ferrule which has an end surface capable of reflecting or scattering light and directing the light towards the photodetector. In another embodiment, a reflective integrating member may be alternatively or additionally used to reflect a portion of the emitted light to the photodetector. The photodetector, in conjunction with electrical circuitry to which it is coupled, develops an electrical signal which may be provided to laser control means to control and adjust the optical output of the VCSELs.