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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

Unknown specs of a laser diode

Joined
Oct 11, 2008
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Ok, so I got this diode from a laser printer that I will try to make some kind of laser with. I don't know if it will work very well but I will try to make it work. I have a pretty limited budget so I want to try to use what I already have. especially since I will probably break the first diodes.

The thing with this diode is that I can't find out any specs on it. I have googled for all the numbers I can find on it but noting. I only know which printer it was in from the beginning and they want me to pay $20 for the manual and schematics of the printer so, NO.

Is there any way I can measure what voltage and mA is appropriate for a diode? :-?

Thanx :D
 





Joined
Oct 2, 2008
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I don't think there's any way to know before hand except to experiment. I heard the best way to that is to get a constant current circuit, and set it up to really low current, e.g. 30mA. Turn off the circuit, short out the capacitor, attach your diode, and then turn it on again.

Raise the current till your diode starts to lase, which should be quite easy to see because there'll be nice amount of light coming out. I dunno about pushing the diodes though. Someone with more experience should guide you on that.
 
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Oct 11, 2008
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Yea, I had that in mind. I will probably try to do this. I have a POT and maybe I can make a constant circuit and slowly lower the resistance to see what happens...
 

ArRaY

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Jul 18, 2008
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As far as I know, laser printers use IR diodes. So they are effectivly worthless for our applications..

ArRaY
 
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Oct 2, 2008
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hmm.... well you wouldn't know what kinda laser printer he has :D

Anyway, just be cautious about this: Any good circuit would have capacitors around to smooth out the current flow. If these capacitors don't have enough chance to leak, and you connect a laser diode to it, the caps will discharge through the laser diode (with peak current up to 20A!) for a split second. It may kill your diode! Remember to discharge them before you connect!
 
Joined
Oct 11, 2008
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Wow!!!
I used my camera and filmed the test and I saw something violet (don't worry, I of course did not look into the diode with my bare eye  ;))

I guess, either I have already killed the diode or it is a pure IR diode. (Caus if I kill the diode I can see still something right?)

Will do some more experiments and see what I can do...
 




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