Good source for the DVD diodes?

[p1t8ull]

Where did you get them Pit?Jim

Photonic in Hertfordshire supplied, minimum order with them is £150 ex vat.

I don't mind putting together a group buy to get them cheaper - if they do turn out to be as good as initially thought. Let me test a few more first & report back. One has also been sent out to a forum member to get another opinion.

FYI, I have been quoted:
£13.18 +vat for 1
£12.24 +vat for 50
£11.82 +vat for 100

Pit.

[andy_con]

you got a web addy mate?

[p1t8ull]

Wow, outstanding...

So long as my LC is not lying - which I have no reason to believe it is.

Re-tested the original plus 2 more new diodes and got very similar results, as below. Measurements are averages of between 3 and 5 samples taken at each amp level. The diodes were held at between 18 and 20 degrees by TEC. After testing the 2 new ones from 210mA to 310mA, I decided to push #1 until it either popped, or the wall melted. But when I got up to 360mA and he hadn't gone bang, I felt proud, got all paternal and just couldn't face pushing him any more

These readings are after collimation, so add 13% if you want the raw output power.

As for wavelength, using a very non-scientific method... the colour actually looked very slightly more "orangey" than a known 660nm used for comparison, so I'm estimating 655/658nm - as they were kept quite cool.




Best measurement today was 298mW at 360mA after optics, so thats 336mW raw

Need to do some endurance testing now, but they d'narf look good so far.

Pit.

[JimBo]

Have you got any for sale?
Or when will you start a group buy?
I'm pretty sure you will get 10 instantly.
I will have 2 straight away.

Jim

[chad]

What voltage were you running them at?

Chad

[Hemlock Mike]

PB --
I was going to order some but if you get a GB together -- I'm in !!

The data sheet lists 3.0 Volts Max but that's for 210 ma. I'm guessing it takes 3.4 to 3.5 volts to get that current. Voltage / current gets a little critical at the top end.

Mike

[dave]

Put me down for 10

[Hemlock Mike]

I just talked to Phontonic Products and the 82 pieces of this LD are gone. I may be able to get ten pieces but it's just maybe. Their orders for this part just took off -- demands for 40,000+ parts. I'll be lucky to get a few.

Mike

[p1t8ull]

What voltage were you running them at?

Chad

Didn't measure that, just used a Lasever diode driver to regulate the current with an accurate mA meter in series. I understood the diodes determine their own voltage anyway?

Pit.

[p1t8ull]

Hmmm, it seems all three that have been tested, are now randomly polarised.
Checked another new one (#4) and at 270mA is was producing 205mW after optics (232mW raw) and it was polarised ok, so I need to test more to find out at what current/temp this shift occurs.
None of the tested 3 have lost any power, still working ok, just this permanent polarisation shift to random when pushed to somewhere between 270 and 310mA at <20 degrees.

On the group buy front, I'm happy to go for it if enough people show interest, but what I don't want to do is end up with a load of pissed off people because there's some problem attribute, or "feature" as Microsoft call it(!) about these diodes that I have missed, as in the polarisation shift above. I haven't even tested one at 270mA (>200mW) continuously yet, so please understand my reservations at this stage.
That said, I'll contact Photonic UK this morning and see what stock they still have and gauge interest. There must be a reason 40,000+ have flown out the door in the US

Pit.