An apparatus includes a laser diode, a heater arrangement, and a circuit. The laser diode is configured to facilitate heat assisted magnetic recording during a lasing state. The heater arrangement is positioned proximate the laser diode. The circuit electrically couples the laser diode and the heater arrangement in a parallel relationship. The circuit is configured to alternately operate the laser diode in a lasing state and a non-lasing state, and to activate the heater arrangement during the non-lasing state to warm a junction of the laser diode.