OEM Laser Diode Driver with Analog Modulation

Overview
Specs
Pin Diagrams
Smart Pack
Feedback
Selection Guide

LD2000R and EK2000 Evaluation Kit Features

Constant Power Mode from 20 μA to 125 μA
Laser Drive Currents from 0 to 100 mA
EK2000 Suitable for Driving LEDs
Ultra-Stable Laser Control
On Board Trimpots are Provided for Controlling the Laser Power and Current Limit
Slow Start for Diode Protection

The LD2000R is a stable laser diode current source that can be operated with laser diodes having a common laser diode anode and monitor photodiode cathode. The driver operates in an automatic power control (APC) mode using the built-in monitor photodiode integrated in the laser diode for feedback. On board trimpots are provided for controlling the laser power and current limit. Both functions can also be controlled via an external voltage source. The driver supports a wide range of laser diodes with drive currents up to 100 mA and photodiode currents from 20 μA to 2 mA. It also has an external input for support of applications having a style A PIN configuration (common laser diode anode and photodiode cathode) requiring modulation of the laser output.

The EK2000 Laser Diode Driver Evaluation Kit allows users to quickly set up the LD2000R with a laser diode and a DC power supply without having to develop extensive hand-wiring or a custom PCB. All of the LD2000R features are supported with convenient, easy to use connector interfaces.

Compatible Pin Styles (when wired in a Style A configuration):

PIN Style A	PIN Style D	PIN Style F*
		*Supported by LD2000R Only

Item #	LD2000R	EK2000
Current Output
Limit Current Control	Trimpot or External Analog Voltage
Limit Current Range	0 to 100 mA
Limit Accuracy	±1%
Compliance Voltage	(V⁺/2) - I_LIMIT * 5
Power Output
Photodiode Current Control	Trimpot or External Analog Voltage
Photodiode Current Range	20 to 125 μA
Long Term Drift (24 hours)	<0.1%
Temperature Coefficient	<100 ppm/ °C
Analog Bandwidth
3dB Bandwidth (Nominal)	10 kHz (Actual Bandwidth is Laser Dependent)
Power Supply
Supply Voltage (V⁺)	8 to 12 VDC
Supply Current	30 mA Plus Laser Current
General
Operating Temperature	0 to 40 °C	-20 to 60 °C
Storage Temperature	0 to 70 °C	-65 to 150 °C

LD2000 Pin Configurations

LD2000 Pin Configuration

Pin	Signal	Description
1	CX1	These pins are provided for connecting an external capacitor to the control loop integrator to extend the integrator time constant. This may necessary to get maximum bandwidth when using TTL modulation. Connect the positive terminal of the cap to CX2.
2	CX2
3	Analog Modulation	This pin is used with an external voltage signal source to provide analog modulation. The transfer function (referenced to the photodiode current) is -50 μA/V (see note 1) with 0 V being the laser completely on. The laser output decreases as this voltage increases with the laser being completely off at 2.5 V. Connect this pin to ground when not using the analog modulation.
4	Slow Start	This output pin is high during the start up period and goes low when the laser is enabled. It can be used as a LASER EMISSION indicator. An external capacitor can be connected from this pin to ground to extend the slow start delay time. Note: this output will not drive an LED directly and must be buffered (contact the factory for more details).
5	PD Current Trimpot	This pin is connected to the wiper of the on-board PD Current Trimpot. Connect this pin to the PD Current Setpoint to control the photodiode current with the on-board trimpot.
6	PD Current Setpoint	This pin controls the PD Current according to a transfer function of 50 μA/V with 0V being the laser is completely off (0 photodiode current). The laser output increases as this voltage increases.
7	REF Out	This is a buffered 2.5 V voltage reference.
8	PD AMP Out	This is an analog voltage proportional to the photodiode current and referenced to one half the supply voltage.
9	+V	Positive supply voltage (+8 to +12 VDC).
10	Ground	Power supply common.
11	LD A/PD K	Common laser diode anode, photodiode cathode.
12	PD A	Photodiode anode.
13	LD K	Laser diode cathode.
14	Limit Setpoint	This voltage determines the maximum laser drive current according to the transfer function 46 mA/V.
15	Limit Trimpot	This is connected to the wiper of the Limit Current trimpot. Connect this to the Limit Setpoint pin to use the on-board trimpot to set the current limit.
16	Not Used	This must be tied to ground to operate the laser.
17	On/Off	This pin is used to externally turn the laser on and off through the slow start circuit and to set the low voltage dropout point. It has an internal 20 kΩ resistor to ground. Connect a 15 kΩ resistor to the power supply voltage to set the dropout voltage to 4.5 V.
18	Limit Out	This is an output voltage proportional to the limit current with a transfer function of 40 mA/V. Use this pin to assist in setting the laser current limit.

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EK2000 Packaging

Smart Pack

Item #	% Weight Reduction	CO₂-Equivalent Reduction^a
EK2000	21.84%	1.35 kg

Smart Pack

Reduce Weight of Packaging Materials
Increase Usage of Recyclable Packing Materials
Improve Packing Integrity
Decrease Shipping Costs

Thorlabs' Smart Pack Initiative is aimed at waste minimization while still maintaining adequate protection for our products. By eliminating any unnecessary packaging, implementing packaging design changes, and utilizing eco-friendly packaging materials for our customers when possible, this initiative seeks to improve the environmental impact of our product packaging. Products listed above are now shipped in re-engineered packaging that minimizes the weight and the use of non-recyclable materials.^b As we move through our product line, we will indicate re-engineered packages with our Smart Pack logo.

Travel-based emissions reduction calculations are estimated based on the total weight reduction of packaging materials used for all of 2013’s product sales, traveling 1,000 miles on an airplane, to provide general understanding of the impact of packaging material reduction. Calculations were made using the EPA’s shipping emissions values for different modes of transport.
Some Smart Pack products may show a negative weight reduction percentage as the substitution of greener packaging materials, such as the Greenwrap, at times slightly increases the weight of the product packaging.

Posted Comments:

luis.marin (posted 2017-07-03 13:36:22.14)

I need to connect style D to this driver, suggestions please...

tfrisch (posted 2017-08-03 04:47:59.0)

Hello, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. This evaluation kit is compatible with style D. The floating PD cathode would be tied to ground. I will reach out to you directly to discuss this.

pt_tanyingjie (posted 2013-07-21 21:26:31.25)

May i know which type of OEM driver i could use to drive LP520-SF15, which is PIN code 9E?

cdaly (posted 2013-08-02 10:20:00.0)

Response from Chris at Thorlabs: Thank you for using our feedback tool. Any source which provide 180mA at the operating voltage of 7.5V should be sufficient. Pin code is only really going to affect those mounts which already have pre-wired sockets for the diode. For the LP520-SF15, I would suggest using the IP250-BV, which despite its description can be used for diodes other than blue ones.

jlow (posted 2012-09-13 12:03:00.0)

Response from Jeremy at Thorlabs: It seems that the website wasn't updated to reflect the manual. We are updating the website now to fix this error. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. For your application of 25kHz with a Style A laser diode, maybe the IP500 could work for you? The bandwidth for that is DC to 50kHz. I will contact you directly to discuss about your application further.

bernard.wenger (posted 2012-09-11 05:57:42.0)

In the specs on the web page the analog bandwidth is 30 kHZ, however in the datasheet this is only 10 kHz. I need a 25 kHz modulation, will it work?

kalun (posted 2011-01-12 14:19:54.0)

I would like to built a fiber link using EK2000, Pigtailed Laser Diodes, Single Mode Fiber and speaker. I have questions on the modulation signal to the P10 of EK2000. Does it only accept 0-2.5V signal? If I have a mp3 player, how can I input this signal to the EK2000?

Thorlabs (posted 2010-09-08 18:50:58.0)

Response from Javier at Thorlabs to bpetrig: the LD2000 is not designed to drive C type laser diodes. It will only work with the styles A, B, and D. I would recommend using the LD1101 for C type diodes: http://www.thorlabs.de/NewGroupPage9.cfm?ObjectGroup_ID=1364&pn=LD1100&CFID=2724616&CFTOKEN=52976594 The main advantage of the LD2000 over the LD1101 is that it features an external control input for modulation up to ~30 kHz.

bpetrig (posted 2010-09-08 14:29:33.0)

I am wondering if the LD2000 can be used to drive a "Style C" type laser, such as the laser P/N DL7140-201S, in automatic power control mode? What advantage(s) does the LD2000 laser driver offer compared to the LD1100?

Laser Diode Controller Selection Guide

The tables below are designed to give a quick overview of the key specifications for our laser diode controllers and dual diode/temperature controllers. For more details and specifications, or to order a specific item, click on the appropriate item number below.

Current Controllers
Item #	Drive Current	Compliance Voltage	Constant Current	Constant Power	Modulation	Package
LDC200CV	20 mA	6 V			External	Benchtop
VLDC002	25 mA	5 V		-	Int/Ext	OEM
LDC201CU	100 mA	5 V			External	Benchtop
LD2000R	100 mA	3.5 V	-		External	OEM
EK2000	100 mA	3.5 V	-		External	OEM
LDC202C	200 mA	10 V			External	Benchtop
KLD101	230 mA	≤10 V			External	K-Cube™
IP250-BV	250 mA	8 V^a			External	OEM
LD1100	250 mA	6.5 V^a	-		--	OEM
LD1101	250 mA	6.5 V^a	-		--	OEM
EK1101	250 mA	6.5 V^a	-		--	OEM
EK1102	250 mA	6.5 V^a	-		--	OEM
LD1255R	250 mA	3.3 V		-	External	OEM
LDC205C	500 mA	10 V			External	Benchtop
IP500	500 mA	3 V			External	OEM
LDC210C	1 A	10 V			External	Benchtop
LDC220C	2 A	4 V			External	Benchtop
LD3000R	2.5 A	--		-	External	OEM
LDC240C	4 A	5 V			External	Benchtop
LDC4005	5 A	12 V			Int/Ext	Benchtop
LDC4020	20 A	11 V			Int/Ext	Benchtop

When using a 12 V power supply.

Dual Temperature and Current Controllers
Item #	Drive Current	Compliance Voltage	TEC Power (Max)	Constant Current	Constant Power	Modulation	Package
VITC002	25 mA	5 V	>2 W		-	Int/Ext	OEM
ITC102	200 mA	>4 V	12 W			Ext	OEM
ITC110	1 A	>4 V	12 W			Ext	OEM
ITC4001	1 A	11 V	>96 W			Int/Ext	Benchtop
CLD1010LP^a	1.0 A	>8 V	>14.1 W			Ext	Benchtop
CLD1011LP^b	1.0 A	>8 V	>14.1 W			Ext	Benchtop
CLD1015^c	1.5 A	>4 V	>14.1 W			Ext	Benchtop
ITC4002QCL^d	2 A	17 V	>225 W			Int/Ext	Benchtop
ITC133	3 A	>4 V	18 W			Ext	OEM
ITC4005	5 A	12 V	>225 W			Int/Ext	Benchtop
ITC4005QCL^d	5 A	20 V	>225 W			Int/Ext	Benchtop
ITC4020	20 A	11 V	>225 W			Int/Ext	Benchtop

Combined controller and mount for pigtailed laser diodes in TO can packages with A, D, E, or G pin codes only.
Combined controller and mount for pigtailed laser diodes in TO can packages with B, C, or H pin codes only.
Combined controller and mount for laser diodes in butterfly packages only.
Enhanced compliance voltage for QCL operation.

We also offer a variety of OEM and rack-mounted laser diode current & temperature controllers (OEM Modules, PRO8 Current Control Rack Modules, and PRO8 Current and Temperature Control Rack Modules).

View All »Matching Part Numbers

OEM Laser Diode Driver with Analog Modulation

LD2000R and EK2000 Evaluation Kit Features

LD2000 Pin Configurations

Smart Pack

Laser Diode Controller Selection Guide