220 Amp Laser Diode Driver, ILX Model LDX-36125-24

ILX Model LDX-36125-24 Driver

The LDX-36000 series laser drivers from ILX Lightwave are high power laser drivers which offer output currents up to 220 Amps in Pulsed / QCW mode and up to 125 Amps in CW mode of operation. The LDX-36000 Series High Power Laser Diode Drivers are a family of high performance current sources designed specifically for controlling and testing high power laser diodes. Over ten models offer maximum current ranges from 10 amps to 220 amps QCW and 125 amps CW with maximum compliance voltages from 12V to 35V. Each instrument offers high setpoint accuracy, low output noise with forward voltage and photodiode measurements in CW, QCW-Pulse and hard pulse operating modes making these instruments ideal for precision, high power laser diode testing. Multiple laser diode protection features include adjustable voltage and current limits, output shorting relays, slow turn on/off circuits, fast error detection circuits, and transient protection during power up and laser operation. A thermistor based temperature monitor provides additional protection through a programmable temperature limit which can be used to disable the laser output when the limit is exceeded. Designed for automated laser diode testing in CW or pulse mode, these drivers combine precision control and measurement and an IEEE488/GPIB interface with on-board data storage for high power laser diode characterization. For virtual instrument programming, LabView instrument drivers are available.

Review of LDX-36000 Key Features:

Theses high drivers are the only commercially available current sources with 200+ amps of QCW current that offer a GPIB interface. The high price for these units brings the ability to automate them into a GPIB based ATE system or production system. If this PC interface is your preferred choice, this may be the only option for this power level. The processor in these units is 16 bit, so it provides plenty of accuracy for the set point of the current and the measurement functions. The stability of the output current is specified at <100 ppm measured at full scale operation. The QCW mode pulse width range is a respectable 40 µs to 2 seconds, but keep in mind that actually achieving this pulse performance is completely dependent on the impedance stack associated with the cabling and the interface to your high power laser diode. These units do not have an integrated TEC controller, but they do have an input dedicated to a control signal to shut-down the output current from an external temperature measurement set-up. The safety and protection features are industry standard. They include current and forward voltage limit, a soft start current ramp and a floating output so that you can connect your load without worrying about grounding.

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Specifications and Key Features
- CURRENT & VOLTAGE
- Current Range CW: 0-125 Amps
- Compliance Voltage (max): 24 Volts
- Short Term Stability: < 100 ppm
- Current Setpoint Resolution: 10 mA
QCW MODE OF OPERATION
- Current Range CW: 0-220 Amps
- Pulse Width: 40 µs to 1 ms
- Range: 0.1 to 1000 Hz
- Rise/Fall Time: 10µs - 20µs
INTERFACE
- Front Panel: 5 Digit LED
- GPIB: Standard
- PD Power Monitoring: Included