Building a 200mW Laser - Help

Proteus · Jun 18, 2012

So, I'm a newbie right now to building lasers of any kind, and wanted to start with a 200mW. However, I was wondering - Do I need a driver circuit? I was thinking I could just put resistors on the diode and power it up from there. Sorry if this is rather obvious, but I need to know

Thanks!

ARG · Jun 18, 2012

Direct driving generally isn't a good idea. It's an easy way to kill a diode. It's generally frowned upon here on the forums but it can be done. If this is your first time it's best to use a driver so you end up with a working laser.

Proteus · Jun 18, 2012

ARGLaser said:
Direct driving generally isn't a good idea. It's an easy way to kill a diode. It's generally frowned upon here on the forums but it can be done. If this is your first time it's best to use a driver so you end up with a working laser.

Thanks for the quick reply!

Have any suggestions for a good driver?

AnthoT · Jun 18, 2012

which diode are you planning to run

it will help us tell you a good driver

Proteus · Jun 18, 2012

Either 808nm 200mW 5.6mm,

...or whatever I can get out of a DVD Writer tomorrow

I'll have the info on that one sometime tomorrow.

T_Warne · Jun 18, 2012

808 will be no fun. You won't be able to see the beam, and the dot will be almost invisible.
The really bad thing is that even though you can't see the 808 light, it can still do lots of damage to your vision.

AnthoT · Jun 18, 2012

I strongly recomend against that...

Here's a great one for your first build :beer:
MITSUBISHI/658nm-660nm 300-400mw CW Red Laser Diode/LPC-826 | eBay

It's only 10$ & it's visible as well so you can see that awesome beam

but you'll need goggles for red as its still strong

Proteus · Jun 18, 2012

T_Warne said:
808 will be no fun. You won't be able to see the beam, and the dot will be almost invisible.
The really bad thing is that even though you can't see the 808 light, it can still do lots of damage to your vision.

I'm planning on putting it in an Aixiz Module actually.

T_Warne · Jun 18, 2012

Putting it in an AixiZ module will not change the fact that 808nm is not very visible but still very dangerous.

Using an 808 diode is just silly. Get a red 650-660nm diode like AnthoT suggested. You will be much happier with the result.

Building a 200mW Laser - Help

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