T160 picosecond to nanosecond laser diode driver

Picosecond Diode Laser Driver - T160
  • Laser current up to 400 mA, 700 mA with heat sinking
  • Optical pulse widths from 100 picoseconds to 50 microseconds
  • Connects directly to floating anode Type-1 butterfly-packaged laser diodes through pin sockets; compatible with other laser packages
  • Laser drive follows electrical input
  • Highly stable constant-current laser drive
  • Laser current and bias are settable with onboard trimpots or by external analog inputs
  • Switchable TTL or LVDS/PECL/CML input trigger compatibility
  • Powered by standard 5-volt micro-USB power supply or through ribbon cable interface connector
  • Compact 2" x 2" PCB for embedded application
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The T160 Laser Driver features laser drive pulse widths down to 300 picoseconds FWHM and ensures sharp turnoff and minimal optical tails. The signal path is essentially DC coupled, but duty cycle is limited to 60% and laser ON time is limited to 50 microseconds. It is suited to applications in pumped-fiber lasers, fluorescent decay analysis, LIDAR, and laser-based materials processing. The 2" by 2" design connects directly to standard 0.1" pin-pitch butterfly laser packages, making it ideal for OEM use in laser systems.

The T160 offers easily adjustable current and bias settings. It is compatible with several Highland Technology digital delay and pulse generators including:

For a laser driver with a built-in pulse generator, see the T165 Laser Pulser.

FUNCTION Embedded laser diode driver
LOGIC INPUT Switchable TTL or optional LVDS/PECL/CML input
TTL threshold is +0.4 volts, 50 Ω load
Differential input is LVDS or 3.3 volt PECL, 100 Ω load
Laser current follows logic input
PROPAGATION DELAY 1 ns nominal
LASER OUTPUT User adjustable 0 to 700 mA, 2.5 volt compliance
Cooling required above 400 mA
Limited to 60% duty cycle and 50 µS max ON time
RISE/FALL TIMES 150 ps to 1 ns nominal (-2 and -9 versions)
2.5 ns nominal (-14 version)
Actual rise/fall times depend on laser electrical parasitics
JITTER < 10 ps RMS (-2 and -9 versions)
< 15 ps RMS (-14 and -15 versions)
CONTROL Two trimpots or external analog inputs set laser ON current and laser OFF bias
External inputs are 0 to +3 volts, > 10 K load
BIAS RANGE < 50 mV to +1.5 V, nominal, laser anode relative to ground
POWER +5 volts via USB connector or ribbon header
Current draw: 200 mA plus laser current
Highland model J6 USB power supply available for use in trimpot mode up to 700 mA laser current
CONNECTORS TTL input: SMB connector
LVDS/PECL, control, power: 10-pin 50-mil 2x5 ribbon cable header
MONITOR output: SMB connector
Micro-B USB alternate power connector
3-pin header provides access to laser TEC pins
LED INDICATORS Green POWER
PACKAGING 2" x 2" printed circuit board

PDF Datasheet: T160 picosecond to nanosecond laser diode driver

T160-2: picosecond laser diode driver with TTL trigger, differential trigger, and pin sockets

T160-9: picosecond laser diode driver evaluation kit (includes T160-2, J6 USB power supply, two J53 SMB to BNC cables, and T163 mounting flange)

T160-14: nanosecond laser diode driver with TTL trigger, differential trigger, and pin sockets

T160-15: nanosecond laser diode driver evaluation kit (includes T160-14, J6 USB power supply, two J53 SMB to BNC cables, and T163 mounting flange)

J6: 5 volt USB power supply

J7: international plug adapter set for J6

J53-1: 3′ SMB to BNC cable