Led driver for Laser diode

[absolom7691]

out of curiosity what is an MM diode?

Multi-Mode Diode. I am assuming the Mitsubishi diodes which are pretty robust.

[VDX]

That begs the question what are you doing with them? Just curiosity talking

... mostly material processing (marking/engraving, cutting, welding, sintering/SLS, UV-curing/SLA) -- but sometimes "optical development" too for better collimating, fiber-optics, GRIN-lenses and such ...

Viktor

[Draco]

from what i have read on the data sheet for some of the Mitsubishi multi mode diodes is they have internal protection, when i find the driver board to my one pointer i am going to use one of there better diodes but that's a ways down the road.

[mixedgas]

There is nothing really wrong in using PWM with laser diodes, if you have a proper modulating driver designed from the ground up for sensitive laser diodes. There generally is something very wrong in using PWM Buck converters designed for LEDs and sold on EBAY as they often spike/overshoot like crazy from energy stored in the inductor. There are a few buck switcher chipsets out there that do not spike. The problem is they are usually not in the in-expensive modules on Ebay.

Fair Enough?

Steve

[frostypaw]

... mostly material processing (marking/engraving, cutting, welding, sintering/SLS, UV-curing/SLA) -- but sometimes "optical development" too for better collimating, fiber-optics, GRIN-lenses and such ...

Viktor

Proper laser work! Cheers - all interesting to look into and see more of what can be done.

[VDX]

... if you want to read more about - we've started a laser-subforum at RepRap -- http://forums.reprap.org/list.php?133

Viktor

[icecruncher]

LED drivers are used a lot on LPF but mostly just for pointer not lab,etc.

Continous Modulating or heavy on/off cycles is usually asking for problems on most of them afaik.