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I found a data sheet for laser diodes for DVD drives and it specked the speed and package type and I matched the package with the speed of the drive and saw the ratings. I was rather disappointed though to finde them I wanted to make a 500mw laser pen for under $30.
Registered Member #56
Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 05:02AM
Location: Southern Califorina, USA
Posts: 2445
hey, no double posting!
In any case, be careful to note that many laser diodes are rated for thier peak power rating, because in DVD drives the lasers are only powered for short bursts. The power that they are capable of running continiously is notably lower, usually well under 200mw...
You should be ok with a small cap across the pin on the laser diode, but you must be sure that the cap is discharged when you attach it, and that the connection between the cap/laser will never be broken while operating.
Registered Member #99
Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 06:10PM
Location: florida, usa
Posts: 637
Perhaps a proper laser diode driver ought to be built to ensure best operation?
Where do you guys find these laser diodes?How is the beam quality? Good for holography?Are these diodes made to last? I am beginning to get interested in getting one for typical "pointing" and ect.
Registered Member #56
Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 05:02AM
Location: Southern Califorina, USA
Posts: 2445
We rip them out of DVD-rw drives... They can be had for quite cheap
A 'proper' driver (assuming you mean a constant current regulator) would be nice, but really if you are running from a fixed supply that is considerably higher then the voltage drop of the laser diode (2-3v), a simple dropping resistor works pretty well.
As to the beam quality, I am 98% sure that these chips are highly multimode, have a horrible coherence length, etc, and I wouldn't even think about trying to do holography with them.
They were made to be as cheap as possible, and were designed to be run in short pulses... While they will probably last a long time, I doubt you will get the life expected from a 'real' laser diode, but even if you get 1/100 a normal diodes life is more than enough for most people.
Even for pointing they are not really perfectly suited, as they are getting into the IR part of the spectrum, 100mw of 650nm looks about as bright as does 5mw of 532nm green...
I was thinking if I did want to run it at higher power levels where should I put a 555 interrupter on the current regulated PSU described in the schematic I was about to eche it as I got it to work with LEDs. here are some pics from a DL sony drive 4X and 18X DVD-R. If I want to modulate it then I student have the cap. and you caint see it but they were both shorted as soon as they were connected.
ok I started it up and I saw a huge increase in power at 100ma so I stopped turning up the power but it dosnt burn anything. I brought up the power and it was really bright then I lowered it and something happened it has a really low power output and I killed it I think I spent so much money I need to just but a cuple diodes.
Registered Member #914
Joined: Fri Jul 20 2007, 06:22PM
Location: South Bend, IN
Posts: 85
This is the one I made from a 16X burner. The laser is a flat pack type. The holder was made from a length of solid brass drilled out for the batteries, lens, and the laser is clamped down at the top.
I had to add an adjustable focus lens to get it to burn stuff.
It will light a match with fresh batteries and runs at about 200mA:
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What is the most powerful DVD laser
