Semiconductor Laser Array Cooler Development

Semiconductor laser diode arrays are encountering performance limitations due to the inability to remove high levels of waste heat. Previous studies have examined the use of microchannel cooling devices to address this problem, but the performance of these devices has been limited by fabrication constraints. Saddleback Aerospace is proposing an alternative microchannel fabricaiton approach, which results in a doubling of the heat dissipation capability compared to previous work, and provides a much more robust microchannel structure. In this effort, analytical trade studies will be performed, and two prototype semiconductor laser array coolers will be fabricated. The thermal and flow performance of the coolers will be evaluated in laboratory testing. The result will be a sound analytic and experimental basis for the near-term development of practical semiconductor laser array coolers.