So I have been around Photonlexicon for quite some time. My life had taken a turn not for the worse but for the better in that I got really busy with work. I mean to the point that I would not wish it on anyone else.
I departed for nearly three years and recently became interested again. My strengths have always been in fabrication. Electronics have always been my Achilles heel. Not to say that I am a complete idiot with it. But let's just say when I touch wires sparks will fly. So in my return to the hobby I see that the 445 diode has become very affordable. Who ever would have thought that you can push 1 watt through a diode. I mean to think that I was messing around with three phase tubes and not to mention throw in some water for cooling. I just shake my head in disbelief.
Well enough with the rambling. I recently started drawing up some case designs and came up with a few renderings. I present to you Superluminal-1
I made provision for a 18X18MM TEC at the bottom of the diode block.
I paid attention to mount the screws at the base from the bottom up. That way I wont draw heat back towards the diode.
I noticed that there are a ton of open source drivers here. I would even pony up the cost to make 100 of these provided we can make it for 10-15 each. That way we can save some cash on this lab module.
It is large enough to incorporate a driver like the Flexmod.
I did a price on quantity 100 and my cost for machining with anodizing and screws came out to 38.00 each. So my dream of 100.00 blue's is still a ways away. Unless we can address a cheap driver.
Keep in mind that I am willing to put up all the up front cost if we can get enough interest. The run would take about three weeks to complete sooner if the interest is great enough. I am open to all suggestions. We can get away from the DB9 and use a regular 5 Volt plug.
In any case I have a few different variations of the design. I put the side mount screws so when you bolt it down you are nor messing around in the beam path or the back side electronics.
The diode block is a two piece sandwich type. I made provisions so you can thread a 9X.5mm Thread to accommodate O=like or Aixiz lens. I can always design a different type to use a PBS type setup I figure a design like this could allow for many possibilities.
Let me know and if the demand is there I can get these made.
Now who is up for the challenge on a TEC driver or analog Driver?
Also including a 3D PDF file.
Ivan