10 Pin Laser Diode, salvaged from a DVD burner.

[palmertech]

I can post pics if needed, but I figured I would save myself the trouble if somebody knew off the bat. I salvaged two diodes from a DVD burner, and they are not the round diodes I expects, but more oval shaped (Almost like a short crystal oscillator). They have two 5 pin rows, for a total of 10 pins. I have kept the original ribbon cable attached, and there are a few traces that are much larger, I would assume these are power and ground, but have no way of knowing for certain.

Does anybody have experience with these? Also, I have a few round diodes that have a small plastic cube on top of the can opening, are these some kind of lens, and are they needed?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

 

[pseudolobster]

Do they look similar to these?

 

[palmertech]

They do indeed! Looking close, it seems as if there are spaces for 2 more pins, but they are not wired in place, or something.

I will try what you did, thanks for the link!