mistery diode

• Mar 29, 2009

• #1

BuildAbluraylaser

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I found that mistery diode in my parts bin today. I wonder wath wavelenght it is or what power to use to power it. Here's some pics of course, note that the casing is quite wierd, it seems to have integrated optics.

it has 4 pins

(the white thing on wich I photographed the diode is not a mac mini but an airport extreme base )

 

• Mar 29, 2009

• #2

billg519

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Any idea what or where this item came from? Was it in a sled? Assuming it is a laser diode, it is probably, with 4 leads, a red and IR combo from a cd/dvd reader (5mW or so). It could also be IR only. Probably won't have burning power. Start with very low current from a variable driver, use camcorder to check for IR emission. Be careful with IR, protect your eyes, treat any unknown laser diode with healthy respect.

 

• Mar 29, 2009

• #3

BuildAbluraylaser

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First I only have a digital camera, second, how do I get to know the pinout? And finaly, the diode may come from
- A CD player
- A DVD player
Witch one? I don't remember.

 

• Mar 29, 2009

• #4

rocketparrotlet

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Either a CD player or a DVD player would only have a low-powered IR or red output, like 5mW or so. However, if you do want to test it, do as Bill said; digital cameras should be able to see IR as well.

-Mark

 

• Mar 29, 2009

• #5

bugattidude

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then it would be a reader... not much of anything if u want a burning laser

 

• Mar 29, 2009

• #6

BuildAbluraylaser

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I'm making a laser pointer for my little brother, so I don't bother with the power, all i want to know is the pinout and the current to use

 

• Mar 29, 2009

• #7

rocketparrotlet

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Nobody knows, really. You know you can buy pointers for only a couple bucks, right? This one you'd have to use a driver and crap...it would be much more expensive.

Or you could buy a DX red laser module for like $2 or $3, you'll find it in "$2 gadgets". It takes 3V and runs at about 15mW, I'm guessing. (I have one.) Already collimated with a driver.

-Mark

 

• Mar 29, 2009

• #8

BuildAbluraylaser

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actually I discovered that the diode assembly has a 3 pin diode and a circuit wich looked like a laser driver   in the same package, but after a quick test, i found that the diode is infrared and therefor useless to me.