High Power Laser Driver

I have a Coherent 800 nm, 12W output laser. I need to use it to do some dot matrix printing. I plan to use ~1 ms pulses. The laser needs ~2 V and ~30A. I want to build a power supply. My thoughts were to use a crazy large car audio cap used to keep the amplifier running during a bass pulse. I was going to use a MOSFET and adjust the gate to keep the capacitor charged to 2V. I would use another MOSFET and a square wave to switch the laser. I would need about 100 pulses over about 3 seconds. The process will be repeated every minute.
Has anyone tried anything similar with any success or is there a better way to generate high current low voltage switching for these laser diodes. Is there an off the shelf, low cost system already available?
Thanks.

Do you have a schematic to refer to? Its hard to picture the circuit without the actual connections you're talking about.

There is "off the shelf" stuff all over, but the costs are sort of insane.

Let me know if this sounds like something you could use: http://laserpointerforums.com/f39/feeler-high-current-psu-pcbs-83429.html

It can be modulated via TTL or analog control...

Not yet sure about response time. I'll need to experiment with it some more.

Do you know anything about the reliability of the CO2 laser printers found on ebay for $725. I would like to find a kit that would allow me to integrate a laser marking system into my application. I do not need the x-y table. I started with a laser diode but I could easily change.

I've heard mixed reviews about them.

Some have problems getting the thing to the door with internal parts surviving.

The software is supposedly junky - but I think external controllers can be bought for them.

Member "Things" here has one of the $2700 ones. I think he would definitely recommend it - he's got good experience with cutters - you might ask him if he has any ideas for you.

Also, 2v is a round figure. @ 2v the output might be a few watts , at 2.1v you might blow the diode, the "spec sheet" is a guideline only.

You need current control, not voltage control.

ped said:

Also, 2v is a round figure. @ 2v the output might be a few watts , at 2.1v you might blow the diode, the "spec sheet" is a guideline only.

You need current control, not voltage control.

Click to expand...

Right. For a diode array, current control is most important. Most high current PSUs can handle at least 2V dropped on the output.