pulse drive vs direct drive

[m60gunner29]

so in looking at various laser diodes i am seeing reference to some in that they say max output pulse drive of (x). But the drivers I am seeing mostly in the laserpointerforums are (i think) constant voltage supply. I think all the drivers im seeing here limit the voltage and prevent surges but dont 'pulse'.

Is there a drawback to runnig what was designed to be a 'pulse drive' laser diode with just direct drive voltage? Would this result in shorter life span or lower max output?

 

[SuicideKing]

There's no easy answer without more information about the diode's specs.

Some diodes designed for pulse operation, do so in the kilohertz range, flashing thousands of times a second. Such a diode, to our eyes, would look to be on continuous current. -Not a huge difference to us, but possibly a BIG difference to the operation and life span of the diode.

Some diodes are spec'd out at a 1000ma, but can only be pulsed for a few nano-seconds in durration. Such a diode could easily fail at only 10ma, if applied continuously.

I know some diodes that are made to be run in a pulsed mode, can be run continuously, but you really have to know what all the parameters are before hand and even then, be preapared to have it die a quick death if you guess wrong.

 

[m60gunner29]

I was on a diode supplier website when I typed up the question. If I had been thinking about it I would have posted a link

for now ill just avoid playing with diodes that mention pulse operation