Laser Diode Electronics

Summary

Laser diode electronics primarily comprises a source of drive current and a temperature controller. This chapter discusses the common mechanisms of laser damage and the precautions to be observed to protect them. It describes four areas of laser diode protection strategy: laser diode drive and control, interconnection cables and grounding, transient suppression and electrostatic discharge. The chapter focuses on some representative laser diode driver circuits for both constant‐current and constant‐power modes of operation. It deals with some basic laser diode drive circuits, beginning with the most basic constant‐current source, drive circuits with inbuilt feedback control for both constant‐current as well as constant‐power modes of operation. The importance of temperature control in the operation of a laser diode is highlighted. Important characteristic parameters of a laser diode such as threshold current, slope efficiency, wavelength and lifetime are critically dependent on the operating temperature.