Next: Electrical and optical properties Up: How to handle a Previous: How to mount a Contents
If you want to solder wires to the laser submount, please contact
Alpes Lasers SA first, otherwise warranty may be lost! Here, the basic
procedure and needs will be explained.
As the QCL chip itself is soldered, and the contact pads on the ceramics
are made of Gold, it is not possible to use normal Lead-Tin solder
(temperature too high, and solder will destroy Gold contacts by forming
alloy). Alpes Lasers SA recommends use of pure Indium for soldering,
in the form of paste of microscopic beads in flux.
It is of highest importance to never touch any part of the laser chip itself (especially not the facets) nor the bonds, as this may result in fatal damage to the QCL. Solder with a very fine tip solder iron at about 170C, only at the corner of the contact pad which is most distant from the bonds and the chip, and only very thin and flexible wires.