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 |
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)