Osram PL520 50mW 520nm Laser Diode

[DTR]

Osram PL520 50mW 520nm Laser Diode

Ok so I got my PL520's in stock today and got some quick testing done on these tonight. Now I was really surprised how bright they really are and am very pleased with these diodes. They are the beginning of a new era here for sure. I want to start off by saying these run extremely stable from what I have seen so far and they appear to be pretty damn tough as I have doubled the datasheet recommended current and have not seen any degradation on the diode. They can double the datasheet output or more but it is yet to be determined if it is good to run them that hard yet.



DTR's Performance Test:
Osram PL520 50mW 520nm Laser Diode
DTR-G-2 Glass Lens

So there we have it. With an acrylic lens you are probably looking at a 15-20mW decrease so looks pretty solid 80mW with a G-2 and probably 50mW with an Acrylic. There are still wavelength and controlled temperature experiments that can be done but I think that about sums up the output capabilities.


Now on to divergence and different lens tests.
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[Blord]

The PL520 seems to have an optimum on 50mW. Thanks for the test. :thanks:

 

[IsaacT]

How easily is the color to differentiate from 532nm? Is it a clearly different wavelength or is it very similar?

EDIT: So it looks like for 200mA, the voltage draw will be about 7V? So either run with 2 Li-Ion batteries and a linear driver(?) or 1 and a boost? I don't know a lot about that stuff so please correct me if I am way off there!

 

[DTR]

I think it is different. I will have to go dig for a 532nm laser here when I get caught up.:beer:

 

[ZRaffleticket]

How easily is the color to differentiate from 532nm? Is it a clearly different wavelength or is it very similar?

It's very similar but it's quite different at the same time. It's easy to tell side-by-side, otherwise it's a bit harder.

 

[ped]

Great work Jordan.

 

[jcranmer]

Anyone that wants to put one together with a host, shoot me a pm!

 

[svdr]

Am I seeing correctly that the dot on the LPM isn't round? Nice Job!

 

[SerpantSlayer]

Do you think we'll see the prices of these going down in the near future?

 

[kaunak]

Do you think we'll see the prices of these going down in the near future?

I would say so they've already went down a good amount

 

[hakzaw1]

Excellant work Jordan-- but a suggestion..

" Next to 200mA max recommended current via the datasheet and I would say for this diode that is about right. Pretty much dead on 50mW."

DEAD?? ooh no!!!,, -- WAIT WHAT??
you mean 'spot'... on right? .. When read fast thats what I thought--dead as in DOA- zombied-LEDed- kilt- No Mo pretty colors-- Kaput!

My Q is when will they be 'more affordable??-
hak paid 140$ for the first 405 5mW he found at FeeBay(Sunclan Lasers)- and others paid even more- now- <$9...

+4-- for DTR

len

 

[DTR]

OP updated with new results after getting my Ophir back up and running.:beer:

Am I seeing correctly that the dot on the LPM isn't round? Nice Job!

You do not want to focus to a spot on a LPM that is how they get damaged. It is a bit past focuesed so the light is more spread on the sensor.

 

[bloompyle]

So 250mA for nearly 100mW? These are looking better and better by the day!

 

[DTR]

Just stuck the heatsink in the freezer for 20 minutes and then put the module back in and took a measurement. 129mW @ 400mA. Also noted the forward voltage had increased by almost half a volt.

 

[ped]

That looks distinctly 532nm , compared to your other photo's , assuming its the same camera?

 

[bloompyle]

I can't tell the difference between my 520 and 532.. Honestly the only thing that looks different is the dot. 532 has a BIT of a lime tinge to it, even the beams side by side look the same. Other than that, they look exactly the same... I could post a pic and take bets on which is which, and it'd be 50/50...can't say I'm not disappointed :/