A-140 vs. M-140 vs. H1600

[ARG]

So what is the deal with the M vs H? Has anyone proven them to be different or a better bin on the same diode?

 

[Blord]

They are the same diodes but I think the H are binned higher.

 

[Wolfman29]

I am not so sure that these are even binned.... I mean, that would be a HUGELY daunting task. There are millions produced... and individually testing each one? Or maybe not. Still, testing each batch would be very difficult.

 

[Blord]

The manufacturer test every laser diode before it leaves the plant. Why not add a light sensor to measure the output. It can be done automatically.

 

[Wolfman29]

Are we sure every diode is tested? I feel like it wouldn't be required for such an efficient process.

 

[pullbangdead]

Are we sure every diode is tested? I feel like it wouldn't be required for such an efficient process.

Yes. Every single diode is tested individually. Likely multiple times.

After cleaving the facets, after dicing/device singulation, and after packaging are 3 very likely times for every single device to be tested. At a bare minimum, every single one is tested and binned before shipping to the consumer.

It's the same in all semiconductor manufacturing. They test on-wafer, they test after dicing, and they test after packaging. Why spend the money to package a device that doesn't even work?

 

[DTR]

Yep I remember reading on the PhlatLight manafacturer website. One of their spec sheets showed all the different bin levels the LED's could be purchased @. There were ones for wavelength and lumen. Like 10 different binning options. This led me to believe that binning is a very common practice in the LED and LD industry.:beer:

 

[ARG]

Hmmm, so it's possible then, that the H1600 could be a more efficient bin of the same diode? It would match up with the numbers.

 

[tsteele93]

Hmmm, so it's possible then, that the H1600 could be a more efficient bin of the same diode? It would match up with the numbers.

The >2W @ 1.62A in my sig came out of an H series projector... anecdotal for sure - but that is an efficient diode! And I've got 3 or 4 :thinking: more!

 

[Tech_Junkie]

The H diode I have is doing 2.168W at 1.8A with a G1 lens.

So I'd say the H series is a crap shoot as much as the M series are.

 

[tsteele93]

The H diode I have is doing 2.168W at 1.8A with a G1 lens.

So I'd say the H series is a crap shoot as much as the M series are.

Interesting. I finally got mine measured at 2.15W with G1 at 1.62A. Those are both still very good though.

 

[clif]

The H diode I have is doing 2.168W at 1.8A with a G1 lens.

So I'd say the H series is a crap shoot as much as the M series are.

I agree. By comparison, I have a late model A140v diode that is doing 2.3 watts with a G2 lens at only 1.44amps. Binning department was sleeping on that one - :thinking:

 

[BShanahan14rulz]

I remember reading about how huge efficiency gains were reported by using a very difficult to achieve crystal of GaN as substrate. Something to do with how it is hard to get it to crystallize homogeneously along that plane, and how substrates for C-plane GaN are ridiculously small and expensive.

PBD: How can you tell that these are not from Nichia? Have you gotten to see the Nichia diode of similar specs under the scope?

On a side note, I just got a nice Nichia LED. Thought this would be my second Nichia optoelectronic device, but I guess it will be my first.

 

[tsteele93]

I remember reading about how huge efficiency gains were reported by using a very difficult to achieve crystal of GaN as substrate. Something to do with how it is hard to get it to crystallize homogeneously along that plane, and how substrates for C-plane GaN are ridiculously small and expensive.

Nichia 's Shuji Nakamura: Dream of the Blue Laser Diode

Kind of interesting...

 

[Blutquell]

For the sake of saving time to others browsing through pages, I believe the OP should be edited and have the data gathered by the testers added to give a definitive "conclusion" to the subject.
The past few pages are mostly off-topic anyway.

 

[DTR]

The answer is the M and H series diodes are much more efficient than the A series diodes. They have an extra bond wire and a larger die. Most all M and H diodes can hit 2W+ with a single element lens and 1.8A current.