Good source for the DVD diodes?

[chad]

Does any one have a good source for dvd diodes?

I am hoping for the 650 ~200mw. I want to try my hand at a Arcotos red. I would like to get my hands on a dozen or so and start on a diode driver.

I have done a bunch of searching online but haven found at a reasonable price that i didn't have to buy 100 or more..

THanks
Chad

[buffo]

What do you consider a reasonable price?

I've purchased several DVD modules on E-bay for between $25 and $40 each. Of course, you still have to take them apart to get the high power diode out...

Adam

[carmangary]

NewEgg.com has 16x+ dvd burners that go for about $29 and often with free shipping. That's about as good as I know of.

[chad]

I was kinda hoping for just the bare diode, but i guess i could use some extra small steppers. Pricewatch has some samsung 16x dvd burners for $19.95.

Chad

[dave]

Hehe, im out of touch with dvd burner speeds. Is 16X is fast as they go?

[chad]

This week... I think so.. Yea i just checked.

On a side note, Until recently I didn't realize the correlation between write speed and diode power. After thinking about it , the faster the media is spinning the less time you have to heat up the little blob so you need more mw..

Ain't' technology grand!

Chad

[dave]

Actually, i just checked, it looks like they are up to 18X

Im interested in doing a few for myself actually, the one thing holding me back is a source of collimating optics.. Anyone know a good source?

[chad]

WOW! I stand corrected.

AS for the colimator optics. There are lots but i think these are the cheapest i have found.

http://www.mi-lasers.com/cgi-bin/sho...s=diode_optics

Chad

[dave]

Nice 1

I have been toying with the idea of putting together a couple of DVD baswed lasers.

Hmmm, maybe i should give it a shot eh!

[chad]

Yea me too. Keep your eyes out for a modulatable (sp) driver. That seems to be my only sticking point I am not good enough at- from scratch analog to build a bullet proof driver and i don't want to spend 100 per pop for a module. Maybe we can combine forces and bang some of these out for our selves.

I still wish i could find some good prices on just the diode.
Chad

I guess it is time to dig out the pcb stuff, get the bread board fired up, order some op amps, find my fets and try to get back into the analog swing...