Anode cathode diode1/30/2024 In powering down, the laser driver accomplishes two things: first, it protects against excessive voltage and second, it responds to an open-circuit condition by shutting down the laser before the circuit can be closed, which could allow a massive current spike.Īn intermittent contact safeguard is a hardware feature that will power down the laser circuit in the event that a bad cable or connector causes an intermittent electrical contact. When the voltage limit is exceeded, the laser driver should power down immediately. High-speed voltage limits provide critical protection for the laser (see Fig. While not required for all applications, a soft turn-on minimizes thermal spikes and the stresses they produce. Slow power-on capability, sometimes referred to as a soft turn-on, is recommended for laser diode drivers. Avoiding a laser driver with grounded outputs will allow the maximum degree of configuration flexibility. While earth-grounding the laser is typically recommended, your application may dictate a specific grounding configuration. The modulation input, in particular, is a common source of ground loops and should be isolated.Īnode and cathode isolation from ground is accomplished in a laser driver with an anode-ground or cathode-ground connection. Through optical or electrical isolation between the user inputs and the driver's outputs, the driver removes any possible ground loops that pass through the control electronics of the driver or through the laser diode. Independent isolation for critical components is a crucial laser diode driver attribute to avoid potential damage from ground loops and other unpredictable factors. In addition to meeting laser-specific current and noise requirements, a laser diode driver contributes a number of essential operational and safety functions that keep the system, and the laser in particular, operating safely and consistently: Selecting a low-noise laser diode driver will maximize its usefulness. While selecting a laser diode driver with a significantly higher output current may provide flexibility for future applications, operating in the upper portion of the driver's rating will provide the best performance in terms of accuracy, noise, and resolution.īecause lasers faithfully reproduce the input current, the noise of the laser diode driver will be reflected in the optical output noise of the laser. Your application will determine the level of accuracy, stability, and resolution required. The laser data sheet, provided by the manufacturer, will indicate the current required by the laser.Ī laser's performance is a direct reflection of the current flowing through the device. The most basic requirement for a laser diode driver is supplying current. The laser diode itself is typically defined by the end-use application and this article assumes the type of laser diode module (hereon simply referred to as a 'laser') is already known. Each of these components has specific selection criteria. Although these end-users are well informed and advanced within their own field, they could benefit from a primer that describes how to produce consistent, optimized power from their laser diode sources.Ī laser diode system consists of the laser itself, a laser diode driver, a laser mount, and, for most applications, a temperature controller. As laser technology proliferates, new end-users are coming into contact with lasers for the first time. During the last two decades, lasers have made the transition from the laboratory to production areas serving as industrial tools in hundreds of applications.
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