It is recommended that proper temperature control be implemented and operating temperatures well below the max rating employed. Even running the diode itself will cause it to heat up if not properly thermally regulated. Swings in the temperature of the environment will cause swings in the diode temperature as well. For instance, a general rule of thumb is that for every 10 ☌ rise in temperature, the diode's lifetime decreases by half. Diode lifetime, threshold current, lasing wavelength, lasing power, mode hoping, and linewidth among other properties are all heavily influenced by the temperature of a diode. Most laser diodes are exceptionally sensitive to temperature effects. Other voltage sources or supplies can be relatively noisy, which can lead to instabilities in performance, but perhaps more importantly, they can send large spikes when turned on or off. It is also good practice to ensure that a current supply designed specifically for use with laser diodes is used for powering the laser diode. A good general strategy is to make sure the current supply is set to zero before turning on or turning off the power to the laser diode. Additionally, sudden power loss (e.g., losing power in the lab or shutting off a current supply without ramping the current down to zero first) can also produce these electrical spikes. Hot plugging, the act of plugging or unplugging the diode into an energized current source, can also create an electrical spike and should be avoided. Using a surge protector can help to protect against these sorts of events. Surges through power lines, environmental forces such as lightning strikes, and loss of power are just a few of the events that can produce surges that are deadly to a laser diode. These forms of electrical events come from various, sometimes unexpected, sources. A fast overshoot may be all it takes to destroy a laser diode. Laser diodes are also quite susceptible to electrical spikes and transients. Thorlabs offers several ESD protection devices including table mats and wrist straps. Thus, it is important to remain grounded while working with laser diodes. If not properly protected, this can cause an electrostatic discharge to the diode, leading to premature failure. Small electric charge can built up on a person as they shuffle around a lab or interact with various pieces of equipment. Of these, the most widely known is static discharge. We discuss below some of the common damage mechanisms involved with laser diode operation.ĭamage from electronic mechanisms is the number one reason for catastrophic laser diode failure. In particular laser diodes are susceptible to damage from electronic, thermal, and power mechanisms. Proper care is necessary when handling and using diodes in order to ensure consistent, reliable, and long lifetime operation. When using a laser diode, it is important to know the various ways through which it may be damaged. We shall discuss below: damage mechanisms, specifications, diode packages, mounts and drivers, and some general tips on common laboratory phenomenon that can lead to diode instability or damage. This tutorial will address some of the basics for laser diode handling and operation that should be kept in mind when creating a laser diode system. Diodes can be easily damaged, running them hot can decrease life time, and various environmental conditions can cause catastrophic diode failure. Laser diodes can provide stable frequency and power operation over long life times, but creating a system that can realize this operation is not trivial.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply.AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |