Compact-size electronic device for diode-laser characteristic curve tracing

Abstract

In order to monitor the voltage-current (V-I ) and opticalpower–current (P-I ) characteristic curves of pulsed diode lasers, we have designed, built, and tested a compact-size, low-cost electronic device with the function of both supplying periodic variable-amplitude current pulses to the diode laser and transmitting Y-X (either V-I or P-I ) signals to an ordinary oscilloscope. The paper describes the features of the device and the results of its testing by characterizing two sample InGaAs/AlGaAs diode lasers.