Scalped SF-AW210

[Giface]

While removing an SF-AW210 from it's heatsink I managed to partially push in the "protective" window - enough so that it rattled when gently shaken. Anyway, I thought better to be safe rather than sorry later on, so I cut the top off the can thereby exposing the LD. It still seems to lase just as well as it did when in the original heatsink. Does anybody know if there will be any long-term detrimental effects?

Dave

 

[HIMNL9]

I don't know about AW210, but i still have a pair of PHR that i had to decan for the same reason (sleds arrived damaged, and the diode windows was broken, so i removed them) ..... they're working in aixiz modules with acrylic lenses, at 110mA, one from 8 months of occasional daily use, the other is one year old, used maybe 1 or 2 times each week, but for some hours continuously, in a labby heatsink, both without any problems (at least til now)

 

[Eudaimonium]

While removing an SF-AW210 from it's heatsink I managed to partially push in the "protective" window - enough so that it rattled when gently shaken. Anyway, I thought better to be safe rather than sorry later on, so I cut the top off the can thereby exposing the LD. It still seems to lase just as well as it did when in the original heatsink. Does anybody know if there will be any long-term detrimental effects?

Dave

Well I don't think there is much you can do about it. If it were me I wouldn't remove the lens from the module with it, just to be safe, take as less chances as possible. I'm sorry to hear you had bad luck with harvesting, it's expensive diode an' all (at least for me).

 

[diachi]

Well I don't think there is much you can do about it. If it were me I wouldn't remove the lens from the module with it, just to be safe, take as less chances as possible. I'm sorry to hear you had bad luck with harvesting, it's expensive diode an' all (at least for me).

Why would he remove the lens from the module ? Without it he wouldn't be able to focus the laser.

 

[bobhaha]

Well the only thing I can see is that it does not protect the internals from contaminants in the air.. this can cause degrading of the diode.. resulting in reduced burning power and blotches in the output dot...... other then that nothing at all

hope that helped -Adrian

 

[Giface]

Well the only thing I can see is that it does not protect the internals from contaminants in the air.. this can cause degrading of the diode.. resulting in reduced burning power and blotches in the output dot...... other then that nothing at all

hope that helped -Adrian

If that's the case then why are some LDs produced with an open can?

I should probably use the search button for an answer to that question :tsk: - anyway, replies appreciated.

Dave

 

[Tech_Junkie]

Well I don't think there is much you can do about it. If it were me I wouldn't remove the lens from the module with it, just to be safe, take as less chances as possible. I'm sorry to hear you had bad luck with harvesting, it's expensive diode an' all (at least for me).

Why would he remove the lens from the module ? Without it he wouldn't be able to focus the laser.

He just doesn't know what he is talking about....

 

[Tabish]

I thought the glass on the diode was needed to lase!!

Open can means there is no glass on the diode?

 

[Tech_Junkie]

Its not clear if a sealed can is needed for production purposes or to keep the diode in spec. From what Ive read here some die, some don't.

If you look at the pictures flashing in my banner, there are 2 open can diodes. No windows.

.

 

[Giface]

Well if the AW210 packs it in prematurely I'll report back. For now it's in an Aixiz module with an AR glass lens and running fine at 180ma.

Dave

 

[pseudolobster]

heurrsciences claims that gallium nitride decomposes when exposed to atmospheric moisture, and that by decanning bluray diodes you're going to shorten their lifespan.

I've never really seen a difference, though I guess I haven't been meticulously tracking how long I run them for, so I guess they might die a few hours before the canned ones do.. Either way it's not like you had a choice here, so yeah, that was the right thing to do... Glass fragments from shattered windows have killed a couple PHR's of mine back when they cost $50 each. It seems bluray diode windows break a lot easier than most.

The bonus of this is it'll increase your output by a couple mW, so hey, net gain!

edit: also, if your sf-aw210 dies prematurely, don't bother reporting it, these aren't terribly robust diodes, and a lot of people have complained they die at the drop of a hat, so chances are if you have a problem, it wasn't the de-canning that caused it.

 

[LarryDFW]

Does anybody know if there will be any long-term detrimental effects?

Dave

The UV laser beam decomposes air-borne materials because of its 405nm hi-energy wavelength. When outer air comes inside the package, the decomposition of materials intensifies, resulting in contamination such as the adhesion of carbon & other elements on the laser diode chip. This causes the degradation of light output, which shortens the diode life. The TO-56 package keeps contaminates away from the sensitive laser.

Red open can beams do not have the energy required to decompose the same airborne material.

I would not worry about the slightly shortened lifespan for the UV diode.

LarryDFW

 

[HIMNL9]

^ other than this, there's not too much air interchange, with the lens in place ..... especially if someone use a turn of teflon tape or some waxed greases for reduce the "wobble" of the lens holder .....

 

[pseudolobster]

I'd be real appreciative if someone with a materials sciences background (hint, hint, pullbangdead) could chime in here about GaN decomposing due to oxygen, moisture, or whatnot, since I'm not entirely convinced the few milliliters of air, including mostly nitrogen, a few % water, some oxygen, all totaling some 2mL or so within the aixiz head can't erode GaN enough to make a noticeable decrease in life of the diode...

 

[Archienj7]

If anyone would know for sure it's PBD, brilliant guy. Me personally, I don't think it will hurt it much at all, if any.

 

[Eudaimonium]

Why would he remove the lens from the module ? Without it he wouldn't be able to focus the laser.

I didn't say move the lens, you can focus it all you want, just don't remove the lens (at least not too often) because of exposure to contaminants in the air. Y'know, dust, moisture an' sh't.