Thermal properties of InGaAlP laser diodes have been analyzed by computer simulation. Self-consistent analysis considering heat conduction, current distribution and optical waveguide mode has made it clear that there exist optimum structural parameters minimizing the threshold current.

A two-dimensional device simulator has been developed to analyze optical and electrical properties of laser diodes. The simulator can treat various kinds of laser diodes with arbitrary configurations and material systems. Analysis of transverse-mode stabilized InGaAlP laser diodes has made it clear that the optical mode behavior and the current distribution strongly depend on the ridge stripe configuration.