LDC220C In Stock

The LDC220C by ThorLabs is an advanced and reliable benchtop laser diode current controller designed to work in conjunction with a temperature controller, ensuring stable and safe operation of laser diodes. This cutting-edge device boasts a 5-digit LED display that offers easy operability with user-friendly operating elements located on the front panel. The LDC220C's LED display is capable of displaying the laser current, photodiode monitor current, laser current limit, or the optical power in mW, making it a versatile instrument that eliminates the need for a separate optical power meter. This feature enhances its convenience and practicality, making it an ideal choice for various laser diode applications.

One of the key features of the LDC220C is its ability to drive laser diodes in both constant current and constant power modes. The constant current mode stabilizes the laser and temperature at a predetermined level, resulting in low noise and high response speed. The constant power mode employs an internal photodiode, which stabilizes the laser's output power, adjusted by a feedback circuit. In this mode, the full-scale photodiode current can be adjusted to compensate for differences in photodiode currents in different laser diodes.

The LDC220C comes with advanced protection features to safeguard against damage. Its internal fan ensures that the unit is safe at up to 40 degrees Celsius ambient temperature, thereby preventing overheating in the case of high environmental temperature. The laser ON key on the unit can be switched on and off. An electronic switch short-circuits the laser diode when the key is switched off, promoting laser diode protection. When the key is switched on, soft start is enabled, protecting against voltage peaks. Voltage peaks are also suppressed through electrical filters, transformer shielding, and careful grounding of the chassis. Furthermore, an adjustable current limit ensures that the maximum laser current cannot be exceeded.

At the back of the LDC220C, the laser and photodiode are connected with a 9-pin D-SUB jack. Additionally, a modulation input for laser current or power, a control output proportional to the laser current, and a TTL input for remote laser on/off control are also present. The output of the laser diode and the input of the photodiode are both bipolar, making it possible to connect all polarities of available laser diodes to the unit. An analog control output, providing a voltage proportional to the laser diode current, is available for monitoring purposes, and is also located at the rear of the unit.