Hey guys.
I'm about to embark on my first DIY laser and could do with some help.
I got myself some resistors, caps, pots, diodes, a breadboard, adjustable solder iron, and a multimeter.
The main thing I'm concerned with is building my own driver.
The main problem I'm having is knowing the proper voltage and current that various diodes are supposed to run at.
Presumably, once you know the ideal voltage and current, you can design a driver circuit to deliver precisely that to the diode, in any number of circuit designs; depending on your power source, size requirements etc...
Am I right in assuming this?
If I am, does anyone know an easy and accurate way of determining the ideal voltage and current for any given laser diode?
I do like the tutorials and walk throughs, but they all seem to be very specific in that they're tied to very specific parts and settings.
I want to be able to harvest diodes from any suitable source, figure out the ideal current and voltage and find other parts to suite.
Thanks in advance for any help.
I'm about to embark on my first DIY laser and could do with some help.
I got myself some resistors, caps, pots, diodes, a breadboard, adjustable solder iron, and a multimeter.
The main thing I'm concerned with is building my own driver.
The main problem I'm having is knowing the proper voltage and current that various diodes are supposed to run at.
Presumably, once you know the ideal voltage and current, you can design a driver circuit to deliver precisely that to the diode, in any number of circuit designs; depending on your power source, size requirements etc...
Am I right in assuming this?
If I am, does anyone know an easy and accurate way of determining the ideal voltage and current for any given laser diode?
I do like the tutorials and walk throughs, but they all seem to be very specific in that they're tied to very specific parts and settings.
I want to be able to harvest diodes from any suitable source, figure out the ideal current and voltage and find other parts to suite.
Thanks in advance for any help.