No longer WTB: C Mount 5W 650nm Laser Diode

[styropyro]

I think I have found a diode...thanks for the help everyone!

Hi everybody!

A couple years back a certain number of big C-mount red laser diodes hit the hobby market and since seem to have disappeared. I checked DTRs shop and it seems these are no longer sold. I regret never messing around with these so I am currently seeing if I can find one to play with. Does anybody here have an unused c mount red that they would sell me? If so, please PM me with your price and we can work from there!

 

[styropyro]

Re: WTB: C Mount 5W 650nm Laser Diode

Bump! Anybody have one of these to let go??

 

[SteveT]

Re: WTB: C Mount 5W 650nm Laser Diode

Not sure if this helps but you could buy new from Changchun Sunday Optoelectronics; contact is bess.sunday@gmail.com or sales@sunday-optics.com.

They list the 5w red c mount you are after.

 

[andrewb]

Re: WTB: C Mount 5W 650nm Laser Diode

Apparently these were notoriously fragile. IIRC, several people had them die after 'normal' use (i.e., not severely overdriving them), which was not fun, given the ~$400 price tag.

I think this is why Jordan stopped carrying them (and why you might not find many around). You may want to check with him, though.

 

[rhd]

Apparently these were notoriously fragile. IIRC, several people had them die after 'normal' use (i.e., not severely overdriving them), which was not fun, given the ~$400 price tag.

I think this is why Jordan stopped carrying them (and why you might not find many around). You may want to check with him, though.

I think those deaths were simply due to the use of buck drivers normally meant for 445s. People forget that the 650s have substantially lower Vf, making the in/out voltage differential on the buck driver several times larger (from say 2V, to more like 4V). That probably doubles the output ripple.

The 650 C-Mounts probably should have had drivers made specifically for them. FWIW, if anyone still has access to these diodes, I'm fairly comfortable that my Edge Driver would be a safe way to drive them. Coupled with the MOD-C modules (of which I still have a few), these diodes should be very usable.

 

[styropyro]

Re: WTB: C Mount 5W 650nm Laser Diode

Thanks everyone for the input! I am currently in contact with CSO for a diode, so we will see how that goes. rhd, I may have to pick up one of those drivers from you if I go through with my c-mount purchase. I do not plan on doing a handheld build with this beast so I'll probably just drop it in one of those generic c-mount labby housings.

 

[rhd]

Thanks everyone for the input! I am currently in contact with CSO for a diode, so we will see how that goes. rhd, I may have to pick up one of those drivers from you if I go through with my c-mount purchase. I do not plan on doing a handheld build with this beast so I'll probably just drop it in one of those generic c-mount labby housings.

I'll make one up. What current would you drive it at? I'd be interested in reflowing up a driver now, and sending it to someone to test the cleanliness of its output, at 650nm diode voltages. Even if you don't end up using it, that's fine.

 

[styropyro]

Re: WTB: C Mount 5W 650nm Laser Diode

Hmm just took a look at Angelos' first power test video and he got ~4W @ 4.5A. That's probably the current I would go with, but honestly my knowledge on these diodes is limited at this point. Plus, I have to make sure I'm actually going to buy a diode from CSO! Thank you very much!! How much do you want for the driver??

 

[rhd]

Hmm just took a look at Angelos' first power test video and he got ~4W @ 4.5A. That's probably the current I would go with, but honestly my knowledge on these diodes is limited at this point. Plus, I have to make sure I'm actually going to buy a diode from CSO! Thank you very much!! How much do you want for the driver??

Two more questions:

1) Do you know the Vf of the diode, roughly, when run at 4.5A?

2) Do you have a scope? If so, I'll just send you the driver. But if not, I'll see if I can find someone to volunteer to scope one.

 

[styropyro]

Re: WTB: C Mount 5W 650nm Laser Diode

His test showed a Vf of 2.5V @ 4.5A.

I don't have a scope on hand, but I can get one from the labs. I'll be honest though, I'm about to jump into a crazy month so it may be a bit before I can get a test done! And thank you very much!

 

[rhd]

His test showed a Vf of 2.5V @ 4.5A.

I don't have a scope on hand, but I can get one from the labs. I'll be honest though, I'm about to jump into a crazy month so it may be a bit before I can get a test done! And thank you very much!

No worries. I want to change a couple things on the driver to be more effective for lower Vf red diodes, so it will take a while to get the new PCBs.

 

[rhd]

Re: WTB: C Mount 5W 650nm Laser Diode

Edge Driver, version code F76V# is designed for low Vf sensitive diodes.

I'll test it on a 4W IR C-Mount when I get a prototype board in (if I forget, and someone is reading this thread a month from now, feel free to remind me).

 

[rhd]

Re: WTB: C Mount 5W 650nm Laser Diode

Edge Driver 650 tested and working

 

[Alaskan]

Re: WTB: C Mount 5W 650nm Laser Diode

Please let me know when or if I can buy some of these drivers, tks.

 

[rhd]

Re: WTB: C Mount 5W 650nm Laser Diode

Please let me know when or if I can buy some of these drivers, tks.

I don't sell drivers.

However, if you'd promise to scope it and share the results (good or bad) publicly, I'd be happy to give you this one. I don't have a scope, so my "blind" assertion that it's an incredibly clean output may be naive. I would be happy to put that naivety to the test ;p

 

[Alaskan]

Re: WTB: C Mount 5W 650nm Laser Diode

I can scope it for you if you tell me that parameters you want it set to. I might be able to get you a used scope at work, I think they are tossing a couple soon. What MHz minimum do you need, if you want one?