Components

Screening systems

Description

SLDsources.com offers custom-made screening systems for burn-in screening of fiber-coupled laser diode (LD) and superluminescent diode (SLD) modules in 14-pin butterfly packages (with thermoelectric coolers and thermistors) or Chip-on-Submount (CoS) LDs and SLDs. The systems are designed for long-term 24/7 use.

The main building block of the screening system is a precision 8-channel current and temperature controller. The current and temperature control parameters for each individual channel are set independently. The controller has up to two independent photodiode inputs per channel (for example, for a back-facet photodiode monitor within the laser diode module and an external photodiode).

The screening systems come in four configurations: with 8, 16, 24, and 32 channels, targeting various applications from R&D and prototyping to high-volume production.

Screening systems for CoS include temperature-stabilized mounts. The mounts can be customized to fit a specific CoS design.

The screening system for CoS LDs/SLDs in 32-channel configuration is shown in the picture.

Screening systems

P8AC 8-channel current and temperature controller

The 8-channel current and temperature controller (P8AC series) is designed for 24/7 burn-in screening of semiconductor-based light sources, such as LDs and SLDs. The controller has various protections, which are essential, especially for long burn-in periods. The protections include limiting the drive current to a user preset value, soft start, overheating protection, short- and open-circuit protection, and protection from momentary surges of drive current.

Since these controllers are designed for burn-in screening, where stability and safety are the main requirements, the number of user-adjustable parameters is greatly reduced compared to general-purpose laser diode drivers. This allows us to offer a highly-competitive price compared to the similar systems available on the market.

For each channel, the following parameters are user-adjustable: drive current, current limit, and stabilization temperature.

All parameters can be controlled locally via front panel keys and LCD display, and read remotely via RS-232 or Ethernet.

The screening system undergoes extensive testing before leaving the factory. The functionality of each channel is tested individually. It is possible to conduct functional testing with customer-supplied light source samples and/or using customer-specified procedures.

The 8-channel current and temperature controller (P/N P8AC) is shown in the picture.

Key specifications for P8AC 8-channel controllers

Key specifications for P8AC 8-channel current and temperature controllers are summarised in the table below.

Table 1

Laser diode control
Number of channels	8
Modes of operation	Constant Current (CC) or Constant Power (CP)¹
Forward drive current, maximum	1 A
Maximum forward voltage	4 V
Injection current setting resolution (CC mode)	0.1 mA
PD monitor setting resolution (CP mode)	1 µA
Temperature coefficient	< 250 ppm/°C
PD current	50 µA to 20 mA
PD monitor reverse bias	5 V

Temperature control
TEC current	−2.2 to 2.2 A
TEC voltage	−4.5 to +4.5 V
Maximum TEC power	10 W
NTC thermistor set values	15 kΩ to 0.8 kΩ (+15 °C to +90 °C), 10 kΩ at +25 °C
Temperature setting resolution	0.1 kΩ
Stability, 24h at 25 °C	±10 Ω

Mechanical specifications
Dimensions (W × H × D)	475 × 160 × 330 mm

Power and environmental specifications
Input voltage	220 Vrms AC
Power consumption	200 W
Operating temperature (ambient)	+15 °C to +30 °C
Storage temperature	−15 °C to +55 °C
Relative humidity	5% to 90% (non-condensing)

Port availability
Ports	RS-232 or Ethernet

¹ For each channel, the mode can be configured by changing the position of the jumper on the driver printed circuit board.

Screening systems

Two-channel 14-pin butterfly laser diode mount

The two-channel 14-pin butterfly laser diode mount is designed for use with two LD/SLD modules. Two-channel mounts are commonly combined to form a four-channel mount. Upon request, mounts can be customized for other laser diode packages.

The two-channel 14-pin butterfly laser diode mount (P/N MTS-4) is shown in the pictures.

Screening systems

Two-channel CoS mount

The two-channel CoS mount is designed for use with two CoS LDs/SLDs. The recommended configuration of the burn-in screening system for CoS is the 32-channel system. In this configuration, all mounts are placed in the hermetic chamber described further on this page.

All mounts are fitted to the exact dimensions of your CoS LDs/SLDs or modules, their contact pads or pins, so we request accurate drawings in advance of quotation.

The two-channel CoS mount (P/N STS-2) is shown in the pictures.

Screening systems

Hermetic chamber for the screening system for CoS LDs/SLDs

For high-volume production applications, we offer a hermetic chamber for 32 CoS LDs/SLDs. The mounts are placed in the chamber and all electrical connections from the mounts to the controllers are made through chamber feedthroughs.

Connections between controllers and mounts are made with DSUB15 or DSUB9 cables, or as agreed with the customer.

The chamber (P/N STS-32-Box) for the screening system for CoS LDs/SLDs in 32-channel configuration is shown in the pictures.

Custom-made laser diode burn-in screening systems

Description

P8AC 8-channel current and temperature controller

Key specifications for P8AC 8-channel controllers

Table 1

Two-channel 14-pin butterfly laser diode mount

Two-channel CoS mount

Hermetic chamber for the screening system for CoS LDs/SLDs

More detailed and customized specifications

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