1. A method of operating an emissions diode for junction temperature determination, comprising: providing a drive current to the emissions diode at a level sufficient to enable emissions by the emissions diode; removing the drive current from the emissions diode; providing a reference current to the emissions diode at a level less than the drive current level after removing the drive current from the emissions diode; determining a forward voltage level of the emissions diode under application of the reference current; and controlling an operating temperature of the emissions diode based on the forward voltage level.