COD occurs when the semiconductor junction is overloaded by exceeding its power density and absorbs too much of the produced light energy, leading to melting and recrystallization of the semiconductor material at the facets of the laser.

Catastrophic optical damage is a phenomenon that occurs in semiconductor lasers, particularly laser diodes, when they are over-driven or subjected to excessive optical power. COD leads to the destruction of the laser's facet due to the intense optical power, causing permanent damage and rendering the laser non-functional. Understanding the failure mode of COD is crucial for designing reliable laser diode systems.

The primary cause of COD is the excessive optical power absorbed by the laser facet, leading to localized heating and subsequent damage. This damage is often characterized by the formation of burn spots or craters on the facet of the laser. Over-driving a laser diode beyond its specified power limits or operating it under unfavorable conditions can trigger COD.

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