METHOD FOR OPERATING A LASER DEVICE AND LASER DEVICE

In at least one embodiment of the method of operating a laser device (100) having a plurality of laser diodes (1) which can be controlled independently of one another, wherein controlled laser diodes are each operated with an operating current (I), and wherein each laser diode can be operated for a proper operation in a nominal current range (ΔI), a step A) is carried out in which an input current (I_0) or an input voltage (U_0) is applied to the laser device. Furthermore, a step B) is carried out in which a characteristic value is determined that is representative of a number N of laser diodes that can be operated in the respective nominal current range with the input current applied in step A) or with the input voltage applied in step A). If the characteristic value is representative of N≥1, M laser diodes are controlled in a step C) in such a way that the M laser diodes are each operated in the nominal current range, wherein 1≤M≤N is selected.