The simplest type of semiconductor laser is the Fabry-Perot (FP) laser diode. In this device, two parallel ends of the semiconductor are cleaved along the crystal axis, creating reflective mirrors forming a Fabry-Perot laser cavity with the semiconductor as the gain medium. Optical coatings are typically applied to the mirror facets to optimize the output power, with the laser emission taken from the low-reflectivity front facet and high-reflectance on the back facet to reduce the overall mirror loss. For applications requiring diodes not listed on our Coherent Sources page, please contact Tech Support. Please see our Lasers page for a complete listing of all laser diodes offered by Thorlabs. This large emission range combined with the small device footprint, low operating current, low operating cost, and high efficiency makes semiconductor lasers one of the most important and widely used classes of lasers in use today. These lasers can have emission ranges from the blue (~400 nm) to the IR by combining elements from Groups III and V or Groups IV and VI, respectively. Semiconductor lasers are comprised of a large group of binary, ternary, and quaternary elements from Groups III - VI from the periodic table. For specific questions about laser diodes, mounts, and drivers please contact Tech Support. The information contained within this tutorial will give all the general information necessary to create an excellent laser diode system. The life of a laser diode can be fraught with danger, and where you place it on your table can affect the risk of catastrophic failure to the diode. Mounting lasers doesn't end at the diode mount itself, and thus this tab also discusses common tips and practices when planning out your laboratory environment for optimal placement of diode systems. What type of mounts are really necessary, which ones are desired, what you'd like to look for in a mount, etc. We present here a more in depth look at mounting laser diodes. Furthermore, we introduce some of the basics for laser diode mounts and drivers, including desired and necessary features of a proper laser diode controller Other helpful tips such as the important parameters listed in a specs table and diode packages are discussed. Damage mechanisms are introduced and common methods and tips on how to avoid damaging your laser through these mechanisms are laid out. In the LD Guide tab, we will walkthrough an overview of the major considerations and warnings involved with handling and operating laser diodes. In most applications laser type will be decided by application, and as such this tab provides a general background about diodes and serves as information for the interested reader. Background information on the semiconductor structure, lasing type, integrated feedback, etc. This tab takes us through an introduction to the various types of semiconductor diode lasers. But through proper planning, handling, equipment, and precaution a laser diode can supply stable, consistent performance for 100,000’s of operating hours. It may seem daunting at first and riddled with considerations that may not have seemed important. As we will see through this tutorial, there are many things to keep in mind when planning out a laser diode system. Once known, the next set of choices revolves around mounting a laser diode and choosing the appropriate drivers, regulators, and choosing the placement of the diode within the lab. Application is going to define the major parameters of a laser diode: wavelength, power, and package style. The general strategy in constructing a laser diode system is similar for all such systems. However, the guidelines and tips outlined in this tutorial will supply the information necessary to plan a proper system that will supply stable operation over long diode lifetimes. Much of the specifics are left to the user as any system can vary significantly from lab to lab or application to application. Much of what will be discussed will be in general terms of laser diode performance, warnings, and tips. The purpose of this laser diode tutorial is to provide the information necessary to create a long lifetime, stable laser diode system.
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