My first red laser diode emits light!

[Protonoid]

Really? I was quite sure I got some red light out of it, until I think I killed it.

Unfortunately I screwed up the extraction of the other diode, now the middle pin is broken and I cant solder onto it

On the other hand, one of the diodes I bought identified as an LT026MD. The data sheet puts it at 5mW, 2V, 65-100mA LD.

Typically, how much power is a DVD-RW LD rated at?

 

[charliebruce]

If you broke the middle pin and it was connected to the casing of the diode (same colour as it - brassy) you could try bridging it to the photodiode (the unused pin) then soldering the wire to that instead. Just be careful with the heat that diode receives - it's really annoying to burn diodes out before you've even lit a match with them...

If you don't want to go through the process of extracting and risking breaking it, look in the B/S/T section for pre-extracted diodes - you will most likely save time, effort and money. I've had 2 excellent experiences with BluRay, but anyone on there should hopefully be just as helpful and trustworthy.

Edit 1: The complementary safety nag - GET GOGGLES when working with that kind of power! Your eyes're worth more than goggles for sure...
(/me looks ashamed for utter hypocrisy)

 

[Mohrenberg]

If you broke the middle pin and it was connected to the casing of the diode (same colour as it - brassy) you could try bridging it to the photodiode (the unused pin) then soldering the wire to that instead. Just be careful with the heat that diode receives - it's really annoying to burn diodes out before you've even lit a match with them...

If you don't want to go through the process of extracting and risking breaking it, look in the B/S/T section for pre-extracted diodes - you will most likely save time, effort and money. I've had 2 excellent experiences with BluRay, but anyone on there should hopefully be just as helpful and trustworthy.

Edit 1: The complementary safety nag - GET GOGGLES when working with that kind of power! Your eyes're worth more than goggles for sure...
(/me looks ashamed for utter hypocrisy)

yeah....i should get goggles too....but then i see a pair and i say "hey, i could buy 3 more sleds for that price!"

 

[Mohrenberg]

Mines a Dw1670: "The BenQ DW1670 supports 5x DVD-RAM, 16x DVD±R, 8x/6x DVD+RW/DVD-RW"

I suppose that means its a 16x?

Yeah I thought it should run at about 3V too, found it weird when the meter read 1.7+V...

Not too sure if its open/close can. Can't get it out of the damned chamber its stuck into, and too afraid of destroying my only LD to try harder

if you want i could help you with harvesting a diode, or simply sell you one already in a module and attached to a driver ready to go