Laser simulator helps avoid destroyed diodes

摘要

LASER DIODES CAN destroy themselves in a few nanoseconds, so testing the response and stability of a feedback-stabilized laser-diode driver can be expensive. The simulator circuit in Figure 1 shows a typical laser-diode package, which contains not only the diode, which is driven by current I{sub}L, but also a photodiode. The laser diode's front facet emits a main beam that goes to work in the outside world, and the rear facet emits a reference beam that falls on the photodiode.