Question
We would like to use the WLD and WTC to control a fiber-coupled laser diode which has laser diode anode ground. This ground is connected via the case to the thermistor ground. We are not using the photodiode, we scan through a range of currents to wavelength-tune the laser. When I look at your specification for the WLD, the picture on page 13 shows the laser diode anode connected to pin 14 i.e. 5 V. None of the other circuits show a grounded laser anode. Is the WLD in fact compatible with an anode ground system? I’m worried because I can’t see how it can be, if its supply is 0 and 5 V, yet I need to connect the cathode to something less than 0 V.
Answer
The laser diode anode connected to Pin 14 on the WLD will be connected to negative 5 V. Follow this link to a diagram that shows how to connect your particular laser to the WLD.
On the WTC, you will connect:
- Pin 2 to the voltage setpoint
- Pin 14 to the + side of your voltage supply (+5-30 V)
- Pin 13 to the – side of your voltage supply (+5-30 V) and one side of your laser’s thermistor
- Pin 12 to the + side of the thermoelectric in your laser
- Pin 9 to the other side of your laser’s thermistor.
On the WLD, you will connect:
- Pin 2 to the -voltage setpoint
- Pin 7 to the – side of your voltage supply (-5-12 V)
- Pin 11 to the cathode of your laser diode
- Pin 14 to the anode of your laser diode and the + side of your voltage supply (-5-12 V).
If you do choose to use the photodiode, you will want to connect it as shown in the diagram.
- The anode of the photodiode in your laser should be connected to RPD, with the other side of RPD connected to GND
- The cathode of the photodiode in your laser should be connected to either the laser diode anode or the laser diode cathode.