LPC-815 Dead?

I think I ran too much voltage through my diode. It won't turn on like it used to, its just super dull, no matter what driver I use. Does this happen when you kill a diode, that it just gets super dull? I mean, why would it turn on at all?

I was running it fine on 3.7 volts, but my novice self thought maybe if I drove the driver with 7 volts I would get more output...but I think it killed my diode.

What do you think? Thanks!

Yes, it's dead. They still emit light because they are still producing it, you have destroyed the cavity mirrors so it can not amplify the light anymore.

Indded it is fried like Things wrote ^

With laser diodes, at least the ones I know, you send more current in to them to get "more output" NOT more voltage than what they are specced for. You should read these threads to get more familiar with laser diodes, drivers and such:

Diode thread (look at min/max/recommended current): http://laserpointerforums.com/f51/diodes-compilation-all-diodes-data-one-thread-45042.html

Drivers (Laser PSU): http://laserpointerforums.com/f67/how-laser-diode-drivers-work-explanatory-thread-71513.html

EDIT: Forgot to mention that some drivers would have survived by turning the extra voltage into heat. Other drivers send the voltage straight to the diode with additional current as well due to the additional "resources" present. Thats why I linked the driver thread.

Is it a labby you are making, and what is your budget? If you dont mind spending a bit of cash I can recommend buying a FlexMod P3 from FlamingPyro for 36usd. Its a constant current voltage regulated driver with modulation and all sorts of protective features etc.

Hope this helps clear some things up regarding the correct way to power these diodes.

Best regards