Running @ 4.5mw help - 120mW 450nm Osram PL450B Diode

**EDITED** http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/build-planning-450nm-5mw-saber-94076.html#post1364866

Does anyone have experience with the 120mW 450nm Osram PL450B Diode?

I would Like to drive it at ~4.5mw. (For Pointing in a classroom setting)

I am thinking 26ma should do it based on the data sheet.

Does anyone have real world experience with this as I do not have a LPM.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_6-KC5wFXIJT1FSUUpibDlxVGc/view

I should also add that I will likely just use the Acrylic Lens

450nm Osram PL450B In Copper Modules W/Leads & Acrylic Lens
Should this thread have been opened in a different section or was drivers appropriate?

Trendkilla254 said:

Does anyone have experience with the 120mW 450nm Osram PL450B Diode?

I would Like to drive it at 4.5mw.

I am thinking 26ma should do it based on the data sheet.

Does anyone have real world experience with this as I do not have a LPM.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_6-KC5wFXIJT1FSUUpibDlxVGc/view

I should also add that I will likely just use the Acrylic Lens

450nm Osram PL450B In Copper Modules W/Leads & Acrylic Lens
Should this thread have been opened in a different section or was drivers appropriate?

Click to expand...

Just wondering, why 4.5mW?

It's less than 5mw. I suppose I should have put a ~ infront of the 4.5mw. I want it close to 5mw but ensure it does not exceed 5mw. I plan to use it as a pointing device in a classroom setting. If and when I decide to use it for other purposes I can add a switch with a different resistor if need be. That will be an addition I will make at a later time.

Hi that diode should run at 200ma but if you want to push it a bit you can go as high as 300ma. You can get the x drives from lazereer or flaming pyro they will set it for you. Ps you can set it yourself if you have a test load to simulate a diode. You will need a multimeter, a lithium battery source for power and a test load. Survival lasers haste them for sale . It test up to 3A more than what you need for this diode. The osram 450nm/120mw is an awesome diode I have 3 builds with it.
Have fun be safe and don't forget you softly glasses for that wavelength
If you want something higher in wattage go to the Nichia 9mm 445nm diode set at 2.4ma driver will get you about 2.3 W's or higher.

Lifetime17 said:

Hi that diode should run at 200ma but if you want to push it a bit you can go as high as 300ma. You can get the x drives from lazereer or flaming pyro they will set it for you. Ps you can set it yourself if you have a test load to simulate a diode. You will need a multimeter, a lithium battery source for power and a test load. Survival lasers haste them for sale . It test up to 3A more than what you need for this diode. The osram 450nm/120mw is an awesome diode I have 3 builds with it.
Have fun be safe and don't forget you softly glasses for that wavelength
If you want something higher in wattage go to the Nichia 9mm 445nm diode set at 2.4ma driver will get you about 2.3 W's or higher.

Click to expand...

I don't wish to "Push It". I want it at roughly 4.5mw. Are you saying it won't lase under 200ma? The data sheet chart seems show to threshold normal at 30ma. It doesn't show a minimum on the data sheet though. Looking at the graphs it appears it should start to lase right at ~20ma. I'm planning on taking a stab at 27ma.

Do you have any of your 3 set at a Class 3R? (old Class IIIA) <5mw?


Also Safety Glasses were the first thing I bought. I appreciate your concearn! See my signature If you think there should be anything added to my Sig let me know I am glad to add anything. I would like to be a valuable member of this forum.

Hi, well 300ma is the high end for driver setting for this diode.100ma up from 200ma isn't much to affect the life of the diode trust me. That much more will make the color more to the bluer side as to a 445nm that will have some violet in it. Go with the 200ma setting if you are sceptical about power. It will run best at 200 to 300mw xdrive.really I also have a couple of the 2W versions of this 450nm diode and that one is set for 1.8ma xdrive it's really sweet bro. I have about 20 builds under me. Lots of custom work and also modified flashlights are cool to. If you send me you email address I'll send pics of some of my builds so you can get some ideas. It's a cool hobby I'm really excited about ot of the ordinary.
Oh I see you from the lone star state Texas . My brother lives in El Paso in Horizon city

Yea they start lasing if I remember correctly around 15mW. Don't think you will get it down to 5mW. Maybe if you use a lens coated for red to cut the output a bit. Usually you worry abut back reflections with mismatched AR coatings but with this little power I doubt it would be a problem.

Hi Jodan you so right but I can't understand why he wants a diode like this to be so underpowered. That's a really nice diode I have a few from you. All my diode are from you. In all my builds why would he want such a low wattage output for this 450nm

Lifetime17 said:

Hi Jodan you so right but I can't understand why he wants a diode like this to be so underpowered

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I assume he wants a 450nm laser that is under 5mW eye safe level.

Lifetime17 said:

Hi Jodan you so right but I can't understand why he wants a diode like this to be so underpowered. That's a really nice diode I have a few from you. All my diode are from you. In all my builds why would he want such a low wattage output for this 450nm

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It doesn't matter if you don't understand why he wants what he does...repeating the same irrelevant information doesn't help anyone.

One thought would be to put a silicone diode (or diodes) in between the driver and diode to drop the voltage- I'm not sure if that would get you the desired results or not, but I'm sure someone else here knows.

crazyspaz said:

One thought would be to put a silicone diode (or diodes) in between the driver and diode to drop the voltage- I'm not sure if that would get you the desired results or not, but I'm sure someone else here knows.

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This issue is not getting less power to the diode it is about where it goes from having no real output to lasing which is around 15mW so only way to shave it more that I can think of is to filter the light which the red AR coated lens should cut it down some.

DTR said:

This issue is not getting less power to the diode it is about where it goes from having no real output to lasing which is around 15mW so only way to shave it more that I can think of is to filter the light which the red AR coated lens should cut it down some.

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Ah, I see. BTW, you should put some tests up on your site- I haven't ever been able to find proper numbers for these diodes.

If nothing else, LaserBTB sells 5mW 445nm pens and they have traditionally been very reliable. Would be worth shooting them an email and asking for proof that its 5mW, though.

Hi spaz didn't mean to get your hairs up but that's an awesome diode to be cutting down that size. Sorry if that was irrelevant to to but I wouldn't put a diode of capable output to do that. Maybe I don't justify it that way. But on the other hand your absolutely correct about what he wants to do with it. Didn't mean to get your dander up. I know you can be feisty at times of discussion but you entitled to your opinion like everyone else.. Forgive me if I stepped over the line.

You can get down that low with a DDL driver
and LM317, but that is hard to fit inside a
pen. Miniar is the only thing in that
current range small enough to fit inside a
pen, but they are hard to make. Something
with my tube of solder paste it's too runny

Lifetime17 said:

Hi spaz didn't mean to get your hairs up but that's an awesome diode to be cutting down that size. Sorry if that was irrelevant to to but I wouldn't put a diode of capable output to do that. Maybe I don't justify it that way. But on the other hand your absolutely correct about what he wants to do with it. Didn't mean to get your dander up. I know you can be feisty at times of discussion but you entitled to your opinion like everyone else.. Forgive me if I stepped over the line.

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Don't make this personal, that wasn't my intent- I was simply stating you were giving information that wasn't of any help to the OP.

@TLS- try this stuff:link. Affordable and works really nice. I got mine last november and have had it in the fridge since- it's still good

DTR said:

This issue is not getting less power to the diode it is about where it goes from having no real output to lasing which is around 15mW so only way to shave it more that I can think of is to filter the light which the red AR coated lens should cut it down some.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Yes I want it Eye Safe. I also want it to be durable (I will be making a DIY "Saber of Light" attachment as well). I thought the 445 diodes are not very durable and prone to issues if they get knocked around. Also the "Dot" is not nearly as round.

Where can I obtain these red filters? Do you sell these red filters? Links?

I will be posting a Build Plan Thread in General here in a bit. I'll edit the OP with the link once I put it up.

I am using a larger Ehgemus host.

I'd be your best friend if you could test one out for me to see how low you can run it. I don't have a LPM and don't really have the extra $$ to get one. I suppose I could try and build it and maybe see if the guy in Austin would let me meet up with him to use his. I'd have to look at the member list and check again who all has one. I was hoping the acryllic lens + low ma input would be enough to get it under 5mw. I wish I could find the old 80mw Osram 450nm diode pl450 already in a module. I saw a confirmed output chart for that one. I don't really want to solder the diode myself. I can solder but I'd really really rather not. I don't trust myself that much and feel I have at least a 50% chance of not getting it right.

Can you obtain one DTR?




Made a thread with my plans/ideas http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/build-planning-450nm-5mw-saber-94076.html#post1364866