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17874-D03
T-Cube Laser Diode Driver
Laser Polarity
- It is normal for the case of a laser diode to be electrically connected
to either the anode or th e cathode of the diode. This results in two common
configurations: anode grounded (AG) and cathode grounded (CG). This can be
established from the laser diode data sheet and the device should be connected to
the D-type connector on the TLD001 accordingly - see Section 3.3.4.
Select either
Anode
or
Cathode
, whichever is applicable.
Caution. Ensure that the correct polarity is selected. If the wrong polarity is selected,
and the laser diode is turned on, the unit will attempt to drive current into a reverse
connected laser diode. Although the open loop circuit will detect this and disable the
output, the momentary reverse p olarity can still damage the d iode by reverse
breakdown.
Control Settings
The settings determine the ste p size us ed when the lase r output is increased or
decreased using the GUI. The Open Loop Step Size is set in the range 0.01 to 10 mA,
while the Closed Loop Step Size is set in the range 0.1 to 100 µW.
Persist Settings to Hardware -
The settings on this tab can be stored (persisted) within
the unit itself, such that when the unit is next powered up these settings are applied
automatically. This is useful when the driver is next bei ng used manually in the
absence of a PC and USB link. The
Power Control Source
parameter desc ribed
previously is a good example of a setting that can be altered and then persisted in the
driver for use in absence of a PC.
To save the settings to hardware, check the ‘Persist Settings to Hardware’ checkbox
before clicking the ‘OK button.
