GB: PL520 murder fund

[Trevor]

Hi, I feel really bad for saying this but..

If someone does ever run into a "zombie" 520 can they please consider selling it to me as I need a very low power (<5mW) for data recovery.

I tried the experiment with 405nm but it never worked as the lenses on most DVD writers attenuate this far too much.
520nm might barely work and plus the diode should fit inside the existing block on many cheap writers

Thanks!!
-Andre

650nm can focus small enough to read data on a DVD; why is that not sufficient?

Trevor

 

[ARG]

Mine did something weird... At first, and at only an absolute max of 280 mA, it gave 84 mW. After a few days I noticed it wasnt as bright and decided to LPM it again. It only gave a max of 10 ish mW. I reduced the current using the pot on my Xboost and watched the LPM graph. At around 200 mA I got a max of 15 mW and there it stayed...So yes they can be damaged with 280 mA.

The good news is that the wavelength shifted in the process and as it looked more slightly more blueish, I decided to use a diffraction grating to test it. The new wavelength was 510 nm.

The diode is still working fine but now with a reduced output of 15 mW the colour next to my 532 is much bluer though! The diode was bought from DTR so it wasnt a problem with the source. :beer:

Interesting! This is the first I have heard of one of these diodes failing.