Driving 2 laser diodes

I'm wondering, if I have to drive 2 laser diodes at the same time, when the modulation has to be the same.
Can I use the same driver board and connect the two diodes to it or should I use two drivers and connect the modulation inputs together.

I know with the first solution, if one dies, the other will too (if all the current goes to the alive one) or there should be a way to eliminate this risk...

Anyone some thoughts about this?

I would advise to use two driver boards.
If you only use one then you will quite likely damage the driver board due to the increased current.
Also any protection that the board offers will be based on using only one diode.

Jim

Hello,
Depending on the driver boards voltage input requirements
you could wire the diodes in series and drive them with one driver..

paralleling would only work if the diodes were current matched
otherwise , not advisable.

Of course you can drive both boards from the same source.
IE, both modulation inputs driven together at the same time.
Same with the power input as long as the supply is big enough to handle the current..

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by marconi

Hello,
Depending on the driver boards voltage input requirements
you could wire the diodes in series and drive them with one driver..

paralleling would only work if the diodes were current matched
otherwise , not advisable.

Of course you can drive both boards from the same source.
IE, both modulation inputs driven together at the same time.
Same with the power input as long as the supply is big enough to handle the current..

---

The driver I was thinking about could drive 10 diodes parallel.

In series is a bit difficult as you need to double the voltage.



The problem is, that in series, blowing one, doesn't always mean you blow the other.
In parallel, blowing one is blowing up the other too.

Two driver boards, doubles in my little project the most expensive part.

btw marconi, going to canada next week. I'll check if I can find some of those mounts lying around. If I can find some I'll ship one or two (for free).

Quote:

---

The driver I was thinking about could drive 10 diodes parallel.

In series is a bit difficult as you need to double the voltage.

---

Yep, true., But safer .. Ive done a few that way.

Quote:

---

btw marconi, going to canada next week. I'll check if I can find some of those mounts lying around. If I can find some I'll ship one or two (for free).

---

Wow, Thanks for remembering me..
I will surely pay the post for them

Anything I could do for you on my end let me know

Have a safe trip !!!

If you're giving things away I could do with a free 400mW red :lol:

Jim

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JimBo

If you're giving things away I could do with a free 400mW red :lol:

Jim

---

:D
If I had the money no problem. I would even throw a big BBQ an pay the transport. But I'm a poor guy like most of us. :wink: