LD3000R In Stock

The ThorLabs LD3000R is a laser diode driver that delivers exceptional stability and ultra-low noise operation for laser diodes in constant current mode. The LD3000R is capable of providing up to 2.5 A of current to laser diodes, and it supports A, D, and E pin configurations to ensure seamless integration with an existing setup.

The LD3000R features high-current components, and its aluminum housing allows for efficient heat sinking. It is designed to allow the laser anode to be grounded while operating off a negative DC supply, which enables the user to mount lasers whose anodes are connected to the laser case in a grounded case for added ESD protection. One of the standout features of the LD3000R is its ability to set laser operating current with either an on-board 12-turn trimpot or an external analog voltage (0 to 5 VDC). The driver also has a quiescent laser current of 10 to 20 mA, and when the laser current control is turned down to a minimum, the lowest laser current could be as high as 20 mA.

In terms of connectivity, the LD3000R features two single-row connectors on top of the device. The 10-pin connector is used for the power supply input, the laser interface, and monitor signals. It requires a clean (preferably non-switching) DC bipolar power supply for optimal operation. The positive supply is used only for biasing low-power amplifiers and only needs to supply 10 mA of current, while the laser drive current is derived from the negative power supply output and should be capable of at least -2.6 A of current. The total drive current is determined by the sum of the manual set point and the external current control voltage.

Another impressive feature of the LD3000R is its on-board transimpedance amplifier that converts the photodiode current to a voltage that can be measured on J1 Pin 9 for monitoring the relative laser output power. It is important to note that the LD3000R is a power module and will dissipate a fair amount of heat under normal operation. Therefore, it is imperative that the driver be mounted to an adequate heat sink to avoid damaging the internal components. Additionally, the compliance voltage of this driver depends on the operating current and decreases as the current increases, so it is crucial to factor this into a setup.