DVD Reader laser

[Jacob32123]

I just disassembled a DVD reader from a broken Windows 98 PC. I got it powered up at 3 volts with no driver (I know stupid... I will get one once I get this problem solved) but after following the circuit, it seems to be a 5 volt diode. It is not very bright, but I would not expect it to be at 60% power. Now the problem... It has AWFUL divergence!! My red LEDs can do better then this. What would you recommend doing.

 

[daguin]

Diodes NEED a focusing lens. Even your little, red, $1 pointers have one.

Peace,
dave

 

[Jacob32123]

That's what I figured, but I always thought that is what the little thing that you can see on a assembled CD drive is. I have a 5mw 3.2v Aixiz module, would that be a good housing? Also the Aixiz module has a 5mw diode in it, will this diode from a DVD reader be more than 5mw?

 

[Jacob32123]

Nevermind... Smoked the diode :'(

 

[kevinmassey]

if it was just a reader it wasnt very powerful anyway. no big loss.

 

[KiLLrB]

Nevermind... Smoked the diode :'(

Save the optics.

 

[photonaholic]

What optics?

He just told us it was a raw diode, now it's a cooked diode, much safer for eating, less chance of salmonella when your diode is fully cooked.

 

[KiLLrB]

What optics?

He just told us it was a raw diode, now it's a cooked diode, much safer for eating, less chance of salmonella when your diode is fully cooked.

LoL the optics from the sled.

 

[Jacob32123]

There were optics, as you could see in the pictures... None of them seemed useful, one looked like a Dichro with a yelloish color, but it didn't let red or green pass through