Apparatus and associated methods relate to an open-loop control circuit (OLCC) configured to determine a lasing element drive current as a function of a commanded optical power signal and a measured temperature signal, where the absolute value of the second derivative of the optical output power with respect to laser drive current exceeds a predetermined threshold. In an illustrative example, the absolute value of the second derivative may exceed the predetermined threshold in a non-linear operating region of the laser element. The non-linear operating region may represent, for example, a characteristic output power vs. drive current curve of the lasing element. The OLCC may provide laser peak power control for arbitrary peak power, within linear and non-linear regions of laser efficiency. In some embodiments, the OLCC may substantially improve control over laser optical output power over a wide dynamic range of, for example, temperature associated with the lasing element.
