My driver does not work??? WHY!!???

[HIMNL9]

3 x 1N4001 diodes and an 1 ohm resistor is a good approximation for that diode (you don't need the exact dropout of the laser diode, just to make your test load the more similar possible, so you can set up your driver in the work condition that is closer of the one that you have with the real LD)

 

[jawsykilla]

Finally I got my laser driver working with an IR diode. I captured this image from my IR enabled camcorder. Jordan Norman's Photos | Facebook now what I'm wondering is why is the laser diode producing this shape and not a narrow beam like other diodes do?
Cheers,
Jordan

 

[Toke]

My best guess is, because it is not mounted with a lens in front of it.
It looks like raw diode output to me.

 

[jawsykilla]

Hi Toke, that is what I presumed but I have had diodes before that emit a narrow beam directly from the diode? What lens/housing would you recommend I use for this particular Laser, I need to be able to mount my board into it.
cheers,
Jordan

 

[Toke]

It sounds very likely that different types of diodes will have somewhat different looking raw output.

I am only familiar with the Aizix modules, they will not fit the home made driver you linked to above. You will either need to go get small project box or buy a driver that will fit.

If you don't know of Aizix modules, they press fit a diode in one end, and a focusing lens screws into the other.