I'm rather curious how much different these look on the inside compared to the 300 mW version.

Maybe bigger die? Or, maybe more bond wires?

Not to be that guy, and these are a great discovery, and I'll be definitely making a build with these diodes, but could you PLEASE correct the title to "they're".

Interestly enough, I've used alibaba for flashlights and "neocubes" or "buckyballs" (5mm or 6mm round neodymium magnets that you can make fun stuff with) and had zero problems so far. I have never tried diodes though.

I have always wondered whether they really would withhold the funds from the seller if you filed a complaint.

It SEEMS like they have a good escrow protection program, but since I haven't had to use it, I don't know.

I will say that almost - but not ALWAYS - all of the time I order something from alibaba I find it competitively priced on eBay.

Just an update, if you are willing to buy three, you can get them for $110 each...

3pcs New Mitsubishi 638nm 500mW CW ML501P73-02/Orange Red Laser Diode/Solid Beam | eBay

Or you could just get one from me for $110 and have it in a couple days in the US.

If you really want three it is $315.

Do you plan on keeping these in stock DTR? Or do you have a limited supply also?

I have 17 in stock out of the 30 I originally got and I don't think I will have any issues getting more stock when I run out.

Updated the OP.

That's what we want to hear!

Sorry about that! I didn't realize you had them in your shop. I'd always buy from you first if I have the option! Glad to see the info is now included in the op.

to everyone!

It's good to see there are now very powerful red laser diodes available. Unfortunately they are all multimode. If you want a pointer that's OK. However if you want to burn stuff or create holograms DVD burning diodes remain your only option.

What's so bad about a multimode diode?

Bad beam specs and cannot be focused to as fine a point.

The new 3.8mm red diodes lazeerer has recently found are not multi mode and have not been extracted from DVD burners. They are new/unused

Well, I got my ML501P73 today. I must admit while it can take some current, it was a little underwhelming. Running at an amp it didn't seem as bright to me as an LPC-815 running at ~350mA. Maybe mine is just a little longer wavelength than normal? The LPC beam was visible in a slightly dark room but the ML501P73 beam was never visible, I had to apply smoke to see it.

I put it into the largest heatsink I had at work snuck it up to 1.4A (I don't have an LPM so don't know what power I'm getting). I'll put it into a host when I get some more driver bits:

Beamshot with smoke- (well, alcohol sprayed in the beam):


The Spot through Aixis Glass:


As far as I took it:


Spot through a 405 coated lens (with wings):

Interesting... I wonder if you have a bum diode? I would expect that to be noticeably brighter. It should definitely burn better.

Keep us posted.

I noticed alot of wings on mine too.. I got my 2nd today and have pumped 1900ma into it and it still lives... It is allmost a starburst lol... but it is nice... Could that have to do with it being open can?

Dont get me wrong, it's definitely very bright.
I just remember my LPC diodes had the beam faintly visible and this one didn't. I haven't put it side by side with an LPC diode because my last one died last week when the driver failed.

It's slightly wider diameter on the mounting "lug" for the crystal than my LOC diodes to the extent that I had to ream the hole in the heatsink out a little. It took 1.4amps without flinching and the beam profile with wings is the same as the pics i have seen of other ones. It could also just be a longer wavelength than the average I guess.

I did notice that it seems to "step" in brightness. It seems to suddenly jump up to a higher brightness state at about 500mA and 700mA, then goes through a noticeably step down in brightness at 800 or 900mA before getting brighter again, then its somewhat linear increasing brightness from about an amp to 1.4A. I suspect the thing was getting hot and going down in frequency.

I'd like to put a lux meter or LPC on it to see what's going on.

so far i've had good experience with alibaba.

Ok, I'm on vacation (at my folks in FL while my in-laws house-sit and dog-sit for me) and I packed up all my laser stuff and brought it here to have something to do on slow days.

Except my 445's.

I DID bring this diode along though...

So I'm thinking of throwing together a high powered red build.

Questions about these diodes...

What is the general consensus on safe current?

Looking at this thread, would 1050mA be ok do you think?

Rayfoss/Mitsubishi 638nm 300mW laser diode


And, where can I get lazeerers optics correction for these?

Thanks!

I think 1050mA is pretty safe. I have seen builds with 1.3A-1.5A with a power output of 1+ Watt sweet redness. But your link points to a 300mW diode and this thread is about 500mW. I don't know which diode you are getting.

Maybe you should ask Lazeerer about the lazeerers correction optics.

Good point, I have the 500mW version. I was looking at DTR's page and it had a link to that thread. Apparently I was on his 300mW page and not the 500mW page.

DTR's Awesome Laser Shop

So... Knowing that I have the 500mW flavor, does 1050mA still apply? I guess that I could add another 7135 and go to 1,400mA.

Does that just turn up power while also turning up the wavelength and end up with a less reliable diode and not much real increase in perceived brightness?

Well, that is kind of what I was doing here. But rather than just ask him and depend on whether he was online at the moment, I thought someone else might know where an order link was if he wasn't online ATM. :P

Yeah 1.4A is safe for the 500mW, and 1050mA is alot safer, but 1.4A should be no problem.

Also I have one of lazeerers correction optics and it helps tremendously with the rectangular dot. Definitely PM him about it that's the only place they are being sold as of now is privately from him

Although I did get a newsletter from cajunlasers saying they now carry the lazeerer x-drive which is phenomenal news!

So what do you guys think? 1050mA and keep it alive longer, and at a lower wavelength or amp it up to 1400mA and get more power but higher wavelength?

It is a $130 diode...



EDIT: I have one of these...

16.8mm 1300mA 5-Mode Memory LED Driver Circuit Board for Flashlight (DC 2.8-4.2V)

1.3A? Modes... I can scope it real quick!

It is a decision you have to make. High power with higher not-so-desirable wavelength or lower power for better wavelength.

For color --> 1050mA
For power --> 1400mA

You can't have them both