The LDC-3700C Series Laser Diode Controllers are an industry-leading family of high performance, microprocessor- based instruments that offer a high stability, low noise current source with an integrated 32W temperature controller specifically designed for controlling the current and temperature of laser diodes. These controllers are known throughout the industry for their reliability, precision, and ease-of-use.
The LDC-3706 series offers optimal high-power single-emitter and low-noise Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) performance. Since current noise scales with maximum current output, the LDC-3736 includes three current ranges and the LDC-37620 includes two current ranges. This flexibility allows users to select a range close to their maximum output to reduce current noise and provide future expansion when working with different QCLs or laser diodes. This feature allows the LDC-3736 to deliver current stability better than 20 ppm for sensitive QCL applications. Careful attention to the design of the thermoelectric temperature controller allows high power operation with low TEC current RMS noise. This reduces the chance of TEC noise coupling into the QCL or laser diode, which could potentially cause unstable operation.
ILX Lightwave's internal testing and protection standards ensure protection for your quantum cascade lasers and laser diodes under abnormal operating conditions, such as intermittent contact or severe power spikes. These standards have led to advanced protection features such as clamping current limits, even under modulated conditions. In addition, exclusive braid-shielded cables have been specifically designed to suppress radiated noise and transients commonly found in laboratory or production environments.During AC power-up, careful turn-on sequencing and redundant output shorting circuits protect the laser from current transients. When the output is first enabled, current is shunted through the shorting switch until the protection and control circuits are fully active and all circuit transients have died out. Then, the slow-start circuit opens the shorting circuits and gradually increases current output level while monitoring laser parameters to ensure safe laser operation.A feature not found in competitors' controllers - fast output shutoff - provides an additional level of protection from intermittent contacts between the laser and the current source. Intermittent contact can occur by loose or worn cables causing a momentary open in the circuit or by pogo-pins momentarily losing connection to the laser. If intermittent contact is left undetected, a severe voltage transient can occur which will damage sensitive lasers.These protection features all work in conjunction with all instrument modes of operation, providing worry free, fail-safe control of your laser diodes and quantum cascade lasers.
The front panel of the LDC-3706 Laser Controller was designed for ease of use and readability. The front panel features two large 7-segment displays that also have an integrated dot matrix display. Instrument controls are grouped by mode and function to allow for easy setup. The displays allow for easy viewing of multiple parameters including laser current output, laser voltage, photodiode measurement, measured temperature, set temperature, TEC current, and TEC voltage. Each display can be easily configured to display the most relevant measurements in your application. Laser control is directly addressable from the front panel "adjust" section. Instrument modes are easily selected or adjusted through discrete push buttons and a rotary digital encoder. Configuration of parameters is quickly accomplished through the "parameter" section.
The LDC-3706 series instrument was designed with LIV as a feature. The instrument's firmware commands allows the user to make highly accurate LIV measurements with a single instrument by using the measurements of the photodiode, current, and voltage from the laser diode connection. This can be done using a laser diode's internal photodiode, or by using an external sensor for the light intensity feedback. This gives the user a quick, single-package solution for controlling and characterizing a laser diode.
Remote instrument operation in an R&D or production environment is available through a USB or GPIB interface. Customizable LabVIEW® drivers are available for download. A trigger output is provided for integration into an automated measurement system where the TTL level output indicates a current step change is complete and the system is ready for initiation of a measurement.
For multiple instrument test configurations, LDC-3706 Laser Controllers offer a STORE and RECALL feature. The STORE function allows the user to store all the front panel settings for any given instrument condition. The RECALL function allows the user to retrieve any of the saved conditions at any time. This saves time in instrument re-configuration for different production runs or R&D experiments.