How warm is too warm?

Hey all;

I recently constructed a PHR-803T laser, and I was wondering, how warm is too warm exactly?

When holding the module, (I'm still waiting on other parts currently) it warms up a little bit. Nothing ridiculous, but it's definitely a little warmer than the surrounding air. Then I turn it off, and it cools down quickly.


Should I give it a heatsink or something? How warm is TOO warm exactly when it comes to laser diodes, since I know heat ...well heat is really bad for them

A heatsink would definnately help. I would say turn it off when it gets considerably warmer than the air surrounding air, common sense really