My sharp GH05C01A9G build.

[Philipnzw]

Done this build quite some time ago, instead of doing a thread on it, I thought I would rather do a video, just to mix things up a little. It's just a simple video so yeah, please don't mind the lack of music and etc etc.

Overall verdict: I would still go for the NUGM03. Compared to the Nichia, this diode has a significantly higher Vf. In the datasheet its rated at 5.7V, whereas the NUGM03 is around 5V iirc. This means your driver has to be able to push high Vf, otherwise you might not get enough current through the sharp diode. Sadly, that is what happened in my case. Due to the space limitations of my heatsink, I could only use 17mm circular drivers, and yeah you guessed it, that means I used the cheapo chinese boost driver again. With that driver i only managed to push 1.0A through the diode, which gives me around 400mW of output. Still pretty bright though.

Given the relatively small difference in price between the sharp GH05C01A9G and the NUGM03, I would say that there is little benefit in choosing Sharp. Unless you absolutely need a canned diode and you are unwilling to decan the NUGM03.

Also, if P=VI, then the sharp diode also looks less efficient than the NUGM03.
Given,
Sharp: 5.7V*1.8A=10.26 watt power draw for 700mW output.
Nichia: 5V*1.8A=9 watt power draw for ~1000mW output.

With all that being said, I am still happy with the sharp diode, it has very good price/performance ratio. Just gotta make sure you pair it with a good boost driver.

 

[gazer101]

Done this build quite some time ago, instead of doing a thread on it, I thought I would rather do a video, just to mix things up a little. It's just a simple video so yeah, please don't mind the lack of music and etc etc.

Overall verdict: I would still go for the NUGM03. Compared to the Nichia, this diode has a significantly higher Vf. In the datasheet its rated at 5.7V, whereas the NUGM03 is around 5V iirc. This means your driver has to be able to push high Vf, otherwise you might not get enough current through the sharp diode. Sadly, that is what happened in my case. Due to the space limitations of my heatsink, I could only use 17mm circular drivers, and yeah you guessed it, that means I used the cheapo chinese boost driver again. With that driver i only managed to push 1.0A through the diode, which gives me around 400mW of output. Still pretty bright though.

Given the relatively small difference in price between the sharp GH05C01A9G and the NUGM03, I would say that there is little benefit in choosing Sharp. Unless you absolutely need a canned diode and you are unwilling to decan the NUGM03.

Also, if P=VI, then the sharp diode also looks less efficient than the NUGM03.
Given,
Sharp: 5.7V*1.8A=10.26 watt power draw for 700mW output.
Nichia: 5V*1.8A=9 watt power draw for ~1000mW output.

With all that being said, I am still happy with the sharp diode, it has very good price/performance ratio. Just gotta make sure you pair it with a good boost driver.

Your laser looks just as bright as my 1W NUGM03 build lol. Nicely done

 

[icecruncher]

Nice to see someone using this diode and the results

 

[Alaskan]

I am working on a project using this diode, power output capability aside, it is superior to the NUGM03 in one way, the divergence is much lower with this device, only 8 and 22 degrees for the uncollimated output, that is much lower. My guess is at a distance, this diode can put the same amount of light per cm2 as the NUGM03 can, due to the 03 having a much wider spot.

Have you been able to measure the output power at 1 amp drive?

 

[Philipnzw]

I am working on a project using this diode, power output capability aside, it is superior to the NUGM03 in one way, the divergence is much lower with this device, only 8 and 22 degrees for the uncollimated output, that is much lower. My guess is at a distance, this diode can put the same amount of light per cm2 as the NUGM03 can, due to the 03 having a much wider spot.

Have you been able to measure the output power at 1 amp drive?

Ah, didn't know about the divergence figures. I did notice that the sharp diode was slightly "sharper" (hah) than the Nichia but didn't put too much thought into it.

Sadly I do not own a LPM so I can't give any power figures. iirc based on the datasheet's W/mA figure, it should be around 400mW @1A.

 

[Alaskan]

OK, I saw some data on the diode at Sharp's web site, but they show a maximum current of 400 mA and the divergence at 13 and 45 degrees, so I think they have both of those wrong. They probably meant 600 mw at 1400 mA. Other data sheets I've found, likely created by vendors, show 1800 mA and 700 mw output and a divergence of 8 and 22 degrees (raw).

Sharp data on their diodes I believe is wrong:

Laser Diodes: SHARP Electronic Components

I have ordered some of these and will make the measurements myself.

 

[loreadarkshade]

Where did you get that copper heatsink part?

 

[Unown (WILD)]

Where did you get that copper heatsink part?

Before you necro post check dates and try a pm first

 

[loreadarkshade]

Before you necro post check dates and try a pm first

My bad, didn't even think about that. I'm not used to using forums so much.

Honestly, this is a design flaw. The admins should just program a line of code where
(if page older than 1 year) > don't bump back up to the top

That way, everyone wins! The user I replied to gets a notification, the thread isnt bumped up to the top, and I can add to an old (but still relevant to me) thread if I wish to. What if someone else was wondering the same thing as me 1 year later, and voila! The information would be there without bumping old dead threads.

This is definitely a programming issue... because if you waste your time trying to correct everyone's frowned upon behavior, you'll be busy forever