Pulsed, quasi-CW and CW laser diode drivers are designed to drive high power laser diodes and other very low impedance loads in pulsed, quasi-CW or CW mode, with pulse widths of 6ns to >20ms (in pulsed or QCW modes), and peak current of 1A to >150A. Applications include laser range finders, laser speed detectors, LIDAR and pulsed doppler imaging, and pumping of diode- pumped solid-state lasers. Laser diode technology includes the ability to integrate photodiode amplifiers and thermoelectric cooler controllers, and both pulsed and CW operation.
For example, the PLD10K-CH 10-A chassis-mount laser diode driver released by Wavelength Electronics Inc. is supplied in an OEM package with user adjustments, status indicators, cabling and robust heat sinking that can operate at 50 °C. It drives any configuration of laser diode in constant power or in constant current mode, with <0.02% and <100 ppm stability, respectively, over 24 h. With optional high-compliance voltage, multiple laser diodes can be run in series. The driver operates from a single 5-VDC supply and supports all laser diode and photodiode pin configurations.
Laser diode driver also improves setpoint stability. With enhanced setpoint stability to fully support critical and cutting edge applications the LDTC 2/2 laser diode driver and temperature controller from AMS Technologies is intended for integrated laser diode or LED modules that include temperature control, often utilized in medical diagnostic equipment, remote sensing, analytical instrumentation, military and communication design. The LDTC 2/2 is compatible with A/B type lasers and allows photodiode power monitoring in constant current mode. Temperature is controlled by a PI loop with configurable heat and cool current limits. Laser diode drive current and limit values are configurable in both constant current and constant power mode, and it is designed with laser diode protection features, including: remote TTL shutdown/interlock, delayed start, and current ramp.