System and method of packaging a laser/detector

A laser/detector package comprising:

• an attachment plate having a reference surface;
• a header post having a front surface that is perpendicular to the reference surface;
• a sub-mount having a front surface, a bottom surface, and a back surface attached to the front surface of the header post such that the bottom surface of the sub-mount abuts the reference surface;
• and
• a laser diode attached to the front surface of the sub-mount;
• wherein the sub-mount is sized to precisely position the laser diode a predetermined distance from the reference surface.

A method of assembling a laser/detector package comprising:

• attaching a back surface of a spacer to a front surface of a header post positioned on reference surface of an attachment plate such that a bottom surface of the spacer abuts the reference surface;
• attaching a laser diode to a front surface of a sub-mount such that the laser diode emits laser beams in directions substantially parallel to the front surface of the sub-mount;
• and
• attaching a back surface of the sub-mount to the front surface of the header post such that a bottom surface of the sub-mount abuts a top surface of the spacer, wherein said spacer and sub-mount are configured to maintain a predefined distance between the laser diode and the reference surface.