A power control device for controlling a power of a light source of an optical beam directed to an optical medium. Inputoutput pads on the printed circuit board may have approximately the same width dimension as a trace line connected to those inputoutput pads. An embodiment of the method includes providing a dielectric comprising aluminum oxide and doping the aluminum oxide with an oxide having a dielectric constant greater than aluminum oxide. A shoulder element having a pouring spout and a flange is introduced into the pocket and the spout is inserted through the hole, whereafter the flange is joined to the pocket. A signal at the output terminal is sensed after the output amplifier is isolated.