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405nm laser diode. How Do I Focus Laser?

Edi

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Hey everyone. This is my first post on this site :yh:
I'm new with lasers and I'm still trying to figure most things out. I bought a 405nm 250mw laser diode and hooked it up.
New 250mW+ 405nm 6X High Power Blue-Violet Laser Diode - eBay (item 280649581262 end time Apr-24-11 04:17:48 PDT)
It works but it's horribly out of focus. :undecided: I read a few posts and figured out I probably need a lens. Will something like this work? :anyone:
405nm Coated Glass Collimating Lens /M8P0.5 Metal Frame | eBay
Coated Glass Lens 405nm Violet Blue Laser M9/P0.5 Frame - eBay (item 120611189174 end time Apr-16-11 07:31:11 PDT)
 
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Edi

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Alright.
I already have the diode in the module. I have a lens from a 5mw red laser but it hardly focuses it. And i have a driver from the red laser, would that work? cuz I put the diode together with the driver and it didn't seem to work.

I think this driver should be good.
405nm 100-300mw Laser Diode Driver Constant current | eBay

Also, is there an exact operating voltage for a 405nm diode? and what would be the best current for burning things?
 

benmwv

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I think you are in a little over your head (didn't even know you needed a lens?) and you should really read up more before you go building a laser, but I guess doing is the best way to learn so I'll try and help you.

Yeah that driver should work fine. I assume the diode is a sf-aw210 so about 180ma current will work great. Definitely don't go over 200ma. Search "test load" for info about setting the current of the driver.

The driver will take care of boosting the voltage for your diode, all you have to do is supply the 2.7-4.0v like it says on the page so you will probably just use 2x AA.

Your module should have came with a lens. Can you post a link to it so we can see what kind it is?
 

Edi

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The module, driver and lens came from a cheap $10 5mw red laser pointer I bought from a store some time back.

That driver on ebay has adjustable output current so it would make life easier.

I'm a bit confused on how you would connect the diode to the driver. I looked it up, some say you only need 2 of the pins and others say you need all 3...?
 

rhd

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Go with 1x lithium ion over 2xAA.

Heads up though - make note of the fact that the driver you linked to will be creating a CASE POSITIVE build. This is fine, as long as you're aware of how to wire the diode's case pin back to the driver's (+) input.
 

rhd

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You need all 3.

The case pin of the diode is neutral, it will feed you whatever is touching the diode through the heatsink, host, etc.

So, battery (-) touches driver spring. Battery (+) flows through the host, the heatsink, and the diode's case, out the diode's case pin. From there it flows into the driver's (+) input. Then the driver's (-) and (+) output flow to the (-) and (+) pins on the diode.

All 3 pins used.
 

Edi

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Ok, so where pins connect to the driver there is VCC, LD, and PD on the driver. The VCC will be neutral pin, LD positive pin, and PD negative pin, right?

The driver VCC, LD, PD are set up the same as this diode. Case pin on the bottom of the driver, LD and PD on the top.

PHR803Tpins%5B1%5D.jpg
 

Edi

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I hooked up the 405nm diode with the driver from the 5mw red laser and it doesn't work. :yabbem:

I don't think the driver is compatible with the diode. I ordered a driver for 405nm diodes and a lens. Now waiting for it to arrive.
 
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You have probably already fried (LED'ed) Your Diode. You really need to do a lot more reading if You want to be successful with your next Diode.
 

Edi

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I don't think I fried it. It still glows as bright as it did when I first got it. It's just out of focus.
 

BennyF

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WOW just WOW. do you have any pictures for us to understand what your doing?
 




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