Board-Level Laser Diode Driver

ILX Lightwave > Laser Diode Instrumentation
LDX-3100 Board-Level Laser Diode Driver

Features

0–250mA output range

Low noise, high stability, current source

Constant current and constant power operating modes

Slow-turn-on circuit for laser diode protection

Mounts to LDT-5100 Temperature Controller for complete OEM laser diode controller

The LDX-3100 offers precise low-noise, high-stability current control of laser diodes when powered by the appropriate external power supply. The LDX-3100 is optimized to drive laser diodes and LEDs with an output range of 0–250mA and a compliance voltage >5.5V. It provides the flexibility of a mountable circuit board with laboratory-grade performance and proven laser protection for critical OEM and other space-constrained applications.

The LDX-3100 Laser Diode Driver can be operated in either constant current or constant power mode. In constant current mode, a stable current can be adjusted from an on-board trimpot or through an external control voltage. The output can be modulated up to 2kHz, so it’s easy to dither the laser current and power. In constant power mode, the photocurrent from the laser’s rear-facet monitor is used in a feedback control loop to the laser drive current to maintain stable laser output power, even if the temperature changes.

The LDX-3100 Laser Diode Driver can be linked to the LDT-5100 Temperature Controller to form a compact laser controller package. The products can be used together or independently, are based on ILX Lightwave’s proven circuit topologies and are pin-compatible with ILX Lightwave instruments, cables, and laser mounts.

For specifications on the LDX-3100 Laser Diode Driver, please refer to the LDX-3100 product brochure.

Last updated: September 25, 2005

Protecting Your Laser Diode

A Standard for Measuring Transient Suppression of Laser Diode Drivers

Typical Output Stability of a LDX-3100 Board-Level Current Source