Semiconductor laser control apparatus for confirming the service life of semiconductor laser by detecting current increase of the semiconductor laser from initial state thereof

摘要

A semiconductor laser control apparatus comprises a semiconductor laser (2), a semiconductor laser control circuit (3), a drive current measuring unit (20), a detection unit (22), a warning unit (23), and a memory unit (24). The memory unit (24) stores at least one initial drive current values (Iref) and corresponding temperatures (Tref). The detection unit (22) compares an actual drive current value (Iop, If) measured by the drive current measuring unit (20) with the initial drive current value (Iref) corresponding to an actual temperature (T). The warning unit (23) generates an alarm of a prediction of the expiration of service life of the semiconductor laser (2), when the actual drive current value (Iop, If) exceeds the corresponding initial drive current value (Iref) as much as a specified percentage. Consequently, the near expiration of the service life of the semiconductor laser (2) can be confirmed and therefore render the operational effects such as replacement of the semiconductor laser without causing any hindrance to the operation.