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.
Three models cover a wide range of low to medium power laser diode testing and control applications. The LDC-3714C-120V and LDC-3724C-120V are targeted specifically for precision control of low to medium power laser diodes with dual range current sources of 50/100mA and 200/500mA respectively. For higher power laser diodes, the LDC-3744C-120V provides a dual range current source of 2/4A. All three models come with an integrated 32W temperature controller.
Independent power supplies for laser and TE current provide clean, isolated power for laser protection and stability. All of ILX Lightwaves proven laser diode protection strategies including slow start, adjustable current limit and compliance voltage, intermittent contact protection, and output shorting relays are incorporated into each model.
Remote instrument operation in an R&D or production environment is available through a USB or GPIB/IEEE-488 interface. A trigger output is provided for integration into an automated measurement system where the TTL level output indicates a current step change for initiation of a measurement. For virtual instrument programming, LabView® instrument drivers can be downloaded from the Literature & Downloads tab on this page.
High Stability, Low Noise Laser Control
Laser diodes act as a gain medium. Small drive current fl uctuations due to noise and drift are amplified optically. Because of this, a controller with a low noise and stable output is required to ensure stable optical output. The LDC-3700C Series of controllers make this possible. Each LDC-3700C Controller offers a precision 16-bit current source with 0.05% accuracy. Careful attention to design delivers as low as 20 ppm stability and 1.5 µA of noise so component measurements can be made with confidence.
Fine Tuned for Protection of Your Laser Diode
Fine tuned for protection of your laser diode, our fast output shut-off provides an additional level of protection from intermittent contacts between the laser diode and the current source. These protection features all work in conjunction with all instrument modes of operation, providing worry free, fail safe control of your laser diode.
A Choice of Laser Current Control Modes
With the LDC-3700C Series Controllers, you can easily control the current to your laser diode in one of three operating modes:
- Constant current, low bandwidth
- Constant current, high bandwidth
- Constant optical power
The constant current, low bandwidth mode offers improved laser protection and noise performance and is optimized for DC operation. This mode supports external modulation up to 15kHz.
In constant current high bandwidth mode, the output stage supports higher modulation frequencies up to 1MHz for dithering the laser current for power and wavelength tuning. For laser protection, the modulation input is implemented as a differential input, allowing the modulation control voltage and laser outputs to use different grounds.
The constant power mode provides constant optical power operation of your laser diode by using the photocurrent from its rear facet photodiode or from an external photodiode measuring front facet light in a feedback control loop to the current source.
Precision Temperature Control
The LDC-3700C Series Controllers include an integrated precision 32W temperature controller for quick temperature response of the laser diode’s chip temperature. For precise wavelength control during component testing, the LDC-3700C Series’ control algorithm maintains temperature with a stability of 0.004°C.
Sixteen-bit control and measurement allows you to set temperature with 0.01°C resolution with a measurement accuracy of 0.05°C (with a calibrated sensor). In addition, the LDC-3700C series supports TEC forward voltage measurement for monitoring the total power consumption of your laser diode module.
Wide Temperature Control Range
These controllers offer extended temperature control from -100°C to 199.9°C with a choice of thermistor, IC, or RTD temperature sensors. Temperature can be controlled in one of three modes: constant temperature, constant sensor, or constant TE current.
As an added precaution, if the temperature sensor or TE module circuit should open during operation, the laser diode current source output will be shut off and the appropriate fault indicator LED will illuminate.
In addition to the normal control modes, the TEC output of the LDC-3700C Controllers is bounded by a fully independent hardware current limit to protect the laser diode’s internal TE module. These limits cannot be exceeded in any mode of operation. The controller can also be bounded by a high temperature limit setting.
Ease of Operation
Divided into two sections, TEC and LASER, the front panel offers quick, easy operation and information display without confusing multi-layer menus. Each bright, 5-digit, green LED display is easy to read from a distance, even with laser safety goggles. Each channel is directly addressable from the front panel “adjust” section with LASER and TEC parameters and modes easily selected or adjusted through discrete pushbuttons and a rotary digital encoder.
Save and Recall Instrument Settings
For multiple instrument test configurations, the LDC-3700C Controllers offer a SAVE and RECALL feature. The SAVE function allows you to store all the front panel settings for any given instrument condition. The RECALL function allows you 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.
Simplify Routine Maintenance
The LDC-3700C architecture simplifies routine maintenance; calibration of the laser current source and TE controller can be performed via the front panel or through USB or the GPIB/IEEE-488 interface, without opening the instrument up or manual adjustments. A calibration mode is entered through unique push button combinations or remote commands, and all calibration data is easily entered via the front panel, USB or GPIB. Calibration data is automatically stored in on-board non-volatile memory.
Put Our Expertise to Work
ILX Lightwave is a recognized world leader in Laser Diode Instrumentation and Test Systems. Our products are not only renowned for their reliability, quality, and value, they’re backed by industry leading after-sales support.
Laser Diode Driver Specifications
For full product specifications, see the LDC-3700 Series Brochure .
|
|
LDC-3714C
|
LDC-3724C
|
LDC-3744C
|
| Driver Output Current |
| Output Current Range (mA) |
0-50 |
0-100 |
0-200 |
0-500 |
0-2000 |
0-4000 |
| Output Current Resolution (µA) |
1 |
2 |
4 |
10 |
40 |
80 |
| Output Current Accuracy (% FS) |
±0.05% of FS |
| Laser Output Compliance Voltage (V) |
0-10 |
| Temperature Coefficient (ppm/°C) |
<50 |
<100 |
| Current Output Short-Term Stability (1 h) (ppm FS) |
<20 |
| Current Output Long-Term Stability (24 h) (ppm FS) |
<40 |
| Noise/Ripple (rms) |
| Laser Output Noise/Ripple (rms) Hi BW (µA) |
1.5 |
4 |
15 |
20 |
| Laser Output Noise/Ripple (rms) Lo BW (µA) |
1.5 |
2 |
10 |
| Transients |
| Operational (mA) |
<2 |
<3 |
<4 |
| 1 kV EFT (mA) |
<5 |
<8 |
<10 |
| Surge (mA) |
<8 |
<12 |
<8 |
| Compliance Voltage Adjustment |
| Range (V) |
0-10 |
| Forward Voltage Resolution (mV) |
50 |
| Forward Voltage Accuracy (%) |
±2.5% |
| Driver Current Limit Settings |
| Range (mA) |
1-50.5 |
1-101 |
1-202 |
1-505 |
1-2020 |
1-4040 |
| Resolution (mA) |
0.25 |
0.5 |
1 |
2.5 |
10 |
20 |
| Accuracy (mA) |
±0.5 |
+/- 1 |
+/- 2 |
+/- 5 |
+/- 20 |
+/- 40 |
| Photodiode Feedback |
| Type |
Differential |
| Photodiode Reverse Bias (V) |
0-5 |
| Monitor Current Range (µA) |
5 to 5000 |
5 to 10000 |
| Monitor Current Stability (24 h) |
0.02 |
| Setpoint Accuracy (%FS) |
±0.05% of FS |
| External Analog Modulation |
| Input Range (1k Ohm) |
0-10 V |
| Transfer Function (mA/V) |
5 |
10 |
20 |
50 |
200 |
400 |
| Bandwidth (3dB) |
| External Modulation Bandwidth Hi BW |
DC to 1 MHz |
DC to 250 kHz |
| External Modulation Bandwidth Lo BW |
DC to 15 kHz |
DC to 10 kHz |
| Trigger Output |
| Type |
TTL |
| Pulse Width (µs) |
13 |
| Delay (ms) |
12 |
| Measurement Display |
MD Output Current Range (mA)
|
0-50.000 |
0-100.00 |
0-200.00 |
0-500.00 |
0-2000.0 |
0-4000.00 |
| Output Current Resolution (mA) |
0.001 |
0.002 |
0.01 |
0.1 |
| Output Current Accuracy (% FS) |
±0.05% of FS |
±0.1% of FS |
| Photodiode Current Range (µA) |
0-5000 |
0-10000 |
| Photodiode Current Resolution (µA) |
1 |
| Photodiode Current Accuracy (µA) |
±2 µA |
±4 µA |
Temperature Controller Specifications
For full product specifications, see the LDC-3700 Series Brochure .
|
General |
| Temperature Range (°C) |
–100°C to 199°C |
| Control Algorithm |
Smart Integrator, Hybrid PI |
| TEC Short-Term Stability (1 h) |
0.004 °C |
| TEC Output Long-Term Stability (24 h) (°C) |
0.01 °C |
| TEC Output |
| Type |
Bipolar, constant current source |
| Output Power |
32 W |
| Output Current Range (A) |
-4 to 4 |
| TEC Ripple/Noise (rms) |
<1 mA |
| Current Limit |
| TEC Output Range |
0-4 A |
| Accuracy |
±50 mA |
| Display Range |
| Display Range Resistance (10 µA) |
0.00 to 450.00 kΩ |
| Display Range Resistance (100 µA) |
0.000 to 45.000 kΩ |
| Range TE Voltage |
-10.0 to 10.0 V |
| Range TE Current |
-4.000 to +4.000 A |
For additional questions contact ILX Lightwave directly at 800-459-9459 or sales@ilxlightwave.com.
LDC-37XXC Models
| | Model | Description | avail raw | Availability | price raw | Price | Qty. MULTI ADD |
|---|
|
LDC-3714C-120V |
Laser Diode Controller, 100 mA Laser Diode Driver and 32 W TEC, 120 VAC |
0 |
In Stock |
3950 |
$3,950.00 |
ADD |
|
LDC-3714C-220V |
Laser Diode Controller, 100 mA Laser Diode Driver and 32 W TEC, 220 VAC |
2 |
2 Weeks |
3950 |
$3,950.00 |
ADD |
|
LDC-3724C-120V |
Laser Diode Controller, 500 mA Laser Diode Driver and 32 W TEC, 120 VAC |
0 |
In Stock |
4150 |
$4,150.00 |
ADD |
|
LDC-3724C-220V |
Laser Diode Controller, 500 mA Laser Diode Driver and 32 W TEC, 220 VAC |
0 |
In Stock |
4150 |
$4,150.00 |
ADD |
|
LDC-3744C-120V |
Laser Diode Controller, 4000 mA Laser Diode Driver and 32 W TEC, 120 VAC |
0 |
In Stock |
4995 |
$4,995.00 |
ADD |
|
LDC-3744C-220V |
Laser Diode Controller, 4000 mA Laser Diode Driver and 32 W TEC, 220 VAC |
2 |
2 Weeks |
4995 |
$4,995.00 |
ADD |
Accessories
| | Model | Description | avail raw | Availability | price raw | Price | Qty. MULTI ADD |
|---|
|
RM-136 |
Single Rack Mount Kit, LDC-37X4C Series |
0 |
In Stock |
80 |
$80.00 |
ADD |
|
CC305S |
Current Source/Laser Mount Interconnect, max 5 Amp, DB9 to DB9 |
0 |
In Stock |
85 |
$85.00 |
ADD |
|
CC355S |
Current Source/Laser Mount Interconnect, 5 meter, max 5 Amp, DB9 to DB9 |
0 |
In Stock |
115 |
$115.00 |
ADD |
|
CC305H |
Current Source/Laser Mount Interconnect, max 6 Amp, 7W2 to DB9 |
0 |
In Stock |
90 |
$90.00 |
ADD |
|
CC306S |
Unterminated Current Source Cable, max 5 Amp, DB9 to unterminated |
0 |
In Stock |
75 |
$75.00 |
ADD |
|
CC505S |
TE Controller/Laser Mount Interconnect, max 5 Amp, DB15 to DB9 |
0 |
In Stock |
85 |
$85.00 |
ADD |
|
CC550S |
TE Controller/Laser Mount Interconnect, 5 meter, max 5 Amp, DB15 to DB9 |
0 |
In Stock |
115 |
$115.00 |
ADD |
|
CC501HT |
TE Controller/Laser Mount Interconnect, max 6 Amp, DB15 to 7W2 |
0 |
In Stock |
100 |
$100.00 |
ADD |
|
CC501S |
Unterminated TE Controller Cable, max 5 Amp, DB15 to unterminated |
0 |
In Stock |
75 |
$75.00 |
ADD |
Suggested Mounts
