Edison 445 quad modules

[carlos3621]

Does anybody on this board, own an edison quad blue module,
That has the power output, actually metered?

Im just trying to find out if they can put out 4 watts ...

[KGB]

Well I don't have a quad, I do have 2x of his 1W 445s....Both meter @ 1.3W...

[carlos3621]

Thanks KGB,
But im looking for any others with a quad, because im having issues with overheating and efficiency of the mirrors used to knife edge...

[gottaluvlasers]

Hi Carlos-

I have no idea of the specifics of his build, your individual module or how they are designed. So my following questions and comments are complete generalizations and unbiased toward you or him.

1) what does *your* actual module meter at? I know you purchased it as a "4W" module and obviously that is what you should get. However, is the metered output WAY off its stated output? As in 3.5W or less??

2) I am assuming that these are knife edged and then PBS'd? If these are Casio diodes and he is running them pretty much where we all are running them at ~1W, than 4W total going through mirrors and finally PBS'd, there is going to be some pretty decent losses. mostly at the PBS. I dont know what he is using for a PBS, but most are pretty in efficient at the 445 wavelength. the mirrors, assuming that he is using anything semi-decent in the broadband range, should have upwards of 99% reflection (or damn close).

3) 4 mirrors at ~1% loss= ~10mW loss per mirror X 4 mirrors= 40mW *minimum* of loss just on the mirrors. The PBS is (i dont know exact numbers off the top of my head so i am estimating) probably around 90% for transmit (2WX10%=~200mW loss) and prob around 95% for Reflect (2WX5%=~100mW loss). Also, the correcion optics (if he is using them, which i think he is) are not as efficient as we all would like either. these numbers i dont have a clue at, so i wont even speculate to them. but obviously they are going to be at least 3-5% loss on EACH surface. So, now we are at ~340mW losses (NOT including the corrective optics). This is if he is using high efficiency optics. Do yo uknow if he is??

4) Is he running each diode at or right above the 1W output?Is he purposely running them lower?? (Again, NOT saying you shouldnt be getting your 4W if that is what you purchased. Just trying to pinpoint possible issues).

5. The power supply for the module. is it a GOOD, beefy supply? did you supply it? or did he? i would STRONGLY suggest a good, high quality supply for these. Meanwell, Traco something of those sorts. The Chinese supplies suck. Plain and simple.

Just some things to think about and perhaps look into.

-Marc

5) Can you adjust the diode currents? is it 1 driver for all diodes? or is each (or pairs) on their own drivers?

[carlos3621]

With or without the tec setup, they both peak at 2.5 watts,
Regardless of current, ive tried 1.2 - 1.5 amps, they heat up, and drop in power if driven beyond 1.5 amps.
I have allready tried splitting up the drivers, so 12 volts per driver @ 5 amps , is the power supply specs.
Allready verified voltage not sagging.

If i measure just 1 diode, it does go to 1 watt+,
so im thinking that the problem lies in the laserwave dichros used,
On top of the overheating issue.

The tec is specced at 17 watts, i think its not enough,
As the temp reaches approx 100 faren.
Even if i crank up the die4chill to 100% ON.

So i have i module setup on a large heat sink with a fan.
And i module with a tec setup.

Both of them will not go beyond 2.5 watts.

My next attempt will b to use better dichros.

[gottaluvlasers]

Unless LW has newer dichros i am unaware of they are just 405nm dichros. VERY inefficient at 445 and VERY inefficient at randomly polarized multi-diode beam combining. And why are there dichros in there in the first place? is it mixed with something else? they should be mirrors. OSLS had to specifically make and specifically coat their dichros for 445 AND they had to make sure the coatings were tolerant to different polarization beams. So i guarantee you you are probably losing AT LEAST 15% or more on each dichro.

I built a ~4W module about 8 months ago, quite simply just to mess around with. this had ZERO fancy shit in there. No TEC, no correction optics. used 2 FM3's and i think (IIRC) a 12V/20A PS. moounted it to a piece of aluminum and this thing did 4.2W all day long and that was with each diode current cranked. Actually even ran it at full blast on my bench with no fan on it and not modulating for about 4 hours and at it never dropped below 4.14W. Avg was about 4.18. Trust me, it was not a "looker" or a module. but it did its job.

I think A) you need a beefier supply and B) you need HQ broadband MIRRORS in there.

2.5W is obviously WAY too low. you may have a bad or dying (or more than 1) diode(s) in there also. I really think if you throw some HQ mirrors in there you will probably get at least 1W of your power back!

-Marc