High reliable single mode high power laser diodes with an emission wavelength of around 980 nm are key elements for erbium doped fiber amplifiers (EDFA). The increasing demand for higher amplification power in future dense wavelength division multiplex (DWDM) systems forces the development of pump laser diodes with an operation power regime of 450 mW and more. In order to optimized the high power laser diode, the vertical far-field were reduced down to 17° while avoiding a reduction in power conversion efficiency and T0 as compared to laser diodes with more than 30° vertical far-field. The resulting excellent module properties are presented.