SEMICONDUCTOR LASER MODULE AND METHOD FOR DRIVING THE SEMICONDUCTOR LASER MODULE

The invention provides a semiconductor laser module which can suppress overcurrent flowing into a thermo-module, wherein the thermo-module (5) carries out a heating action when a reverse current flows from lead pin (16f) through lead pin (16a), and contrarily carries out a cooling action when a current flows from the lead pin (16a) through th e lead pin (16f). An overcurrent limiting means (20) is provided, which can suppress overcurrent flowing into the thermo-module (5) in its heating direction. The overcurrent limiting circuit (20) is provided with a bypass line (21), a resistor (22), and a diode (23). When a current flows in the heating direction, the diode (23) is turned on, whereby the current is shunted to th e thermo-module (5) and bypass line (21) for flow, and accordingly, the overcurrent flowing into the thermo-module (5) can be effectively suppressed.