BWB-10-OEM 473nm laser module info thread

[mophead]

Here are a few hi-res shots of the driver, control pcb and head (thanks to kyle for the head pics).

Maybe we can figure out pinouts, serial connections, and which pot is which.

[Diachi]

Head pics aren't showing up for me, anyone else seeing them?

[allthatwhichis]

I see em fine.

[mophead]

My bad, they didn't attach.

[Kyle]

Thanks mophead, great shots! I see that you have a newer, version 5.0 board which has two additional pots in comparison with the version 4.0 board.

drlava has confirmed that the pot closest to the laser head DB connector sets the maximum output with the regulation photodiode assembly in place.

I can't swear to it, but I believe the pot I've labeled 3, at least on my version 4.0 board, controls the maximum diode current. For me, turning this pot two revolutions yielded 50% higher output even with the pickoff assembly attached. I made about one-quarter turns each time and a slight increase in power was seen nearly immediately after turning the laser on, although it seemed to take a little bit longer for the green stabilization LED indicator to go off each time. If I remember correctly, the laser head ran noticeably warmer as well.

- Kyle

[MechEng3]

Just for kicks and grins....

[Kyle]

Just for kicks and grins....

Thanks for the pic! That many optics to correct the beam of the pump diode, with the crystal set completely encapsulated in the white container? Seems pretty interesting; now I think I have a better understanding of your post in the previous thread.

- Kyle

[flecom]

anyone tried removing the pickoff assembly or is that a stupid idea? lol

[Kyle]

Yes, I've done it several times and it seems to simply ramp the diode current up to some maximum set point. My unit does about 30mW with the pickoff assembly removed.

But it probably isn't such a great idea for the laser's longevity. Although I haven't ran it very long without the pickoff I imagine that it will run warmer and you may risk burning the coatings on the crystals due to the increased output from the pump diode. According to what drlava has said about the maximum current setting on his unit it sounds like these lasers use 2 or 2.5 watt pump diodes. I can't say for certain that the crystals can take this much power.

In short, the laser will operate without the pickoff assembly but it may be risky to do so.

- Kyle

[flecom]

could you turn it back down somewhere? I am sure there is a bit of loss from the pickoff that really isnt nessicary for our purposes anyway?

also I am guessing these things have no kind of modulation inputs right?