Hey everyone, I am fairly new to electronics and am trying to wire a high power pulsed laser diode to a laser driver. I am noticing that no current is flowing through my driver despite having wired my diode in forward and reverse (i.e. both polarities). I am concerned if my pulsed diodes are dead on arrival and would like to know how I can check this. I have attached the diode & driver information below! Thanks!

Pulsed Diode: https://ams-osram.com/products/lasers/ir-lasers-eel/osram-metal-can-to56-spl-ul90at03

Driver: https://www.picolas.de/en/produkt/ldp-v-240-100-v3-3/

 

Hi 1064,
How are you measuring the Laser diode current?
I guess you are aware that 904nm IR is not visible to the human eye?

Are you wearing the correct protective eye protection while experimenting?

What is the application?
E

 

no current is flowing through my driver despite having wired my diode in forward and reverse

From the datasheet, the diode's maximum reverse voltage rating is 3V. Did you exceed that? Also, the maximum pulse width rating is 100ns with a 0.1% duty cycle. Did you exceed those ratings?
Welcome to AAC!

 

Sounds like you killed the diode already.

 

I have a Sony digital camera that I keep handy for this purpose. The CCD array responds to IR. I can see the LED glow on the camera's screen.

 

That linked driver has an output current rating of 40-240A (with no obvious way of setting a lower current), whereas your diode has a maximum current rating of 20A. I agree with MrChips, post #4.