Features

Designed for Thorlabs' SM, PM, and MM Pigtailed Laser Diodes (Ø5.6 or Ø9 mm)
Supports A, B, C, D, E, and H Pin Configurations
TEC Element Prolongs LD Life and Stabilizes Output Power & Wavelength
Clamshell Design Eliminates Thermal Gradients Across Diode
Bias-T Adapter for RF Modulation of Laser Current >1 GHz

Thorlabs' LM9LP is an LD and TEC mount designed for use with all of our 3- and 4-pin pigtailed diodes^a. The compact housing protects the pigtail from physical damage, while also offering excellent thermal characteristics. Two 1/4" through holes can be used for securing the mount to an optical table with 1/4"-20 or M6 cap screws.

When operating a pigtailed laser diode, temperature control is highly recommended to stabilize the laser's power and wavelength, while also prolonging the life of the laser. Typical laser diode mounts rely on contact between the diode and the mount's cold plate for heat transfer. Pigtailed laser diodes are often recessed in the pigtail's housing, offering poor contact with the cold plate of standard laser diode mounts. The LM9LP, however, is specifically designed for operating pigtailed laser diodes. Its clamshell design reduces thermal gradients across the diode, while its cold block cradles the pigtail housing for excellent contact and heat transfer. Performance can be further improved by using thermal grease around the pigtail package within the clamshell.

DB9 connections interface with all of Thorlabs' LD Current Controllers and TEC Controllers. An RF SMA connector allows access to a Bias-T circuit for RF modulation of the laser's drive current (200 kHz to >1 GHz). For modulation below 200 kHz, current should be modulated through the laser diode controller. A remote interlock jack is provided for the connection of safety devices such as shutters and warning signs.

a. Due to the variety of fiber pigtailed laser diode packages offered by other companies, this mount is only designed for use with Thorlabs products. Thorlabs offers a laser diode pigtailing service; please contact Tech Support for details.

LM9LP Specifications
Laser Diode Package*	Ø5.6 mm, Ø9 mm
Supported Pin Configurations	A, B, C, D, E, and H*
Laser Current (Max)	2 A
Laser Diode Polarity	Selectable
Monitor Diode Polarity	Selectable
RF Power (Max)	200 mW, RMS
RF Input Impedence	50 Ω
Modulation Frequency (Bias-T)	200 kHz to >1 GHz
TEC Current (Max)	5 A
TEC Voltage (Max)	4 V
TEC Heating/ Cooling Capacity	20 W
TEC Interface	DB9, Male
Temperature Sensor	AD592, 10 k Thermistor
Temperature Range (@25 °C w/ 2 A TEC Current)	10 to 70 °C
Remote Interlock	2.5 mm Phono Jack

Supported Pin Configurations: A, B, C, D, E, and H; Unsupported Pin Configurations: F and G

*The LM9LP is compatible with all Thorlabs Ø5.6 mm and Ø9 mm pigtailed laser diodes that have A, B, C, D, E, and H pin configurations. It is not compatible with G pin configurations where the anode and cathode connections are directly across from each other. It is also not compatible with style F pin configurations. For example, it is not compatible with the HL6548FG laser diode due to the setup of the internal circult, which is shown below. Here PD and LD represent the photodiode and laser diode, respectively. With this configuration, it is not possible to apply the correct voltage bias across both diodes simultaneously using the LM9LP pigtailed laser diode mount

Unsupported Pin Configuration Diagram

Laser Diode Connector

D-type Female

DB9 Female

TEC Connector

D-type Male

DB9 Male

Pin #	Signal
1	Interlock and Status Pin (LDC Specific)
2	Photodiode Cathode PDC
3	Laser Diode Anode LDA
4	Photodiode Anode PDA
5	Interlock and Status Return
6	Laser Diode Voltage (-) VLD(-)
7	Laser Diode Cathode LDC
8	Not Used
9	Laser Diode Voltage (+) VLD(+)

Pin #	Signal
1	TEC Lockout (+)
2	+Thermistor TH+
3	-Thermistor TH_GND
4	TEC (+)
5	TEC (-) and TEC Lockout (+)
6	Not Used
7	AD592 (-)
8	Not Used
9	AD592 (+)

Laser Diode Socket

LD Socket

G - Ground
LD - Laser Diode Pin
PD - Photodiode Pin

RF Modulation

SMA Female

This is a 50 Ω input that is AC-coupled directly to the laser through the Bias-T network for modulation frequencies between 200 kHz to beyond 1 GHz.

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Posted Comments:

Poster: jlow

Posted Date: 2012-08-03 16:47:00.0

Response from Jeremy at Thorlabs to Hazen: To mount the pigtail on this, one would set the pigtail down on the bottom copper plate first before slowly trying to get the pins to slide in (mostly done by feel). While this is do-able (but definitely not ideal), the steep viewing angle does make it quite difficult to mount our pigtail in an easy way, which means this would warrant a redesign of the mounting part. We would certainly welcome any additional feedback you are willing to share with us. I will let our engineering group know about this and get started on ideas on improving this mount.

Poster: hbabcock

Posted Date: 2012-08-03 15:31:02.0

These work well once you manage to get your diode mounted. However in my experience getting your diode in position is a lot more difficult than one would hope. I have on several occasions managed to almost destroy the pins on the diode trying to get them lined up & inserted into the mounting socket. It might be easier if the brass/copper bottom plate was also removable so that you were not forced to come in at such a steep angle? -Hazen Babcock

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