Laser Diode and Photodiode Accessories

• Sockets Compatible with TO-5, TO-8, TO-18, TO-39, and TO-46 Photodiode Packages
• Offered in Solder Tail or Pass-Through Receptacle Designs
• FR4-PCB Base [3.18 mm (0.125") Thick]

Thorlabs offers a variety of photodiode sockets compatible with a range of photodiodes in a TO can package. The STO46S, STO5S, and STO8S have a solder-tail design, which can be permanently soldered into your system. The STO46P, STO5P, and STO8P feature a pass-through receptacle that is designed for diodes with longer leads. These sockets are open at the end and allow leads to pass directly through the socket, eliminating the need to cut the diode leads, which could damage the device.

For both our solder-tail and pass-through sockets, we recommend the socket be soldered prior to installing the photodiode, as heat can damage photodiodes.

Thorlabs' photodiode sockets are compatible with our Unmounted Photodiodes, Pigtailed Photodiodes, Calibrated Photodiodes, and Photoconductors. They are not recommended for use with bandwidths greater than 1 GHz.

	Solder Tail Sockets			Pass-Through Sockets
Photo (Click to Enlarge)
Item #	STO46S	STO5S	STO8S	STO46P	STO5P	STO8P
Material	Beryllium Copper			Beryllium Copper
Compatible Lead Diameters	Ø0.015" - Ø0.020" (0.38 mm - 0.51 mm)			Ø0.015" - Ø0.020" (0.38 mm - 0.51 mm)
Current Rating	3 A			3 A
Resistance	10 mΩ (Max)			10 mΩ (Max)
Outer Diameter	6.1 mm (0.24")	9.1 mm (0.36")	14.0 mm (0.55")	6.1 mm (0.24")	9.1 mm (0.36")	14.0 mm (0.55")
Substrate Thickness	3.18 mm (0.125")			3.18 mm (0.125")
Operating Temperature	-55 to 125 °C			-55 to 125 °C
Drawing (Click for Details)
Compatible Photodiode Packages	TO-46 and TO-18	TO-5 and TO-39	TO-8	TO-46 and TO-18	TO-5 and TO-39	TO-8

• Sockets Compatible with Ø3.8 mm, Ø5.6 mm, Ø9 mm, or TO-5 Can Laser Diodes
• Models Available with 3 or 4 Gold-Plated Beryllium Copper (BeCu) Contacts

Thorlabs offers a range of laser diode sockets that provide compatibility with our wide selection of Ø3.8 mm, Ø5.6 mm, Ø9 mm, and TO-5 Can laser diode packages. These sockets have gold-plated BeCu contacts and meet RoHS compliance. The S8060 and S8060-4 sockets have a polarization dot on the top of the package (see drawings below for more information). Colors vary by lot and may be white, off white, black, or tan.

Item #		S038S	S7060R	ST05S	S8060	S8060-4
Photo (Click to Enlarge)
Material		Beryllium Copper (BeCu)
Insulator		FR-4			PTFE
Compatible Lead Diameters		0.008" - 0.014" (0.20 mm - 0.36 mm)	0.016" - 0.020" (0.41 - 0.51 mm)	Ø0.015" - Ø0.020" (0.38 mm - 0.51 mm)	0.016" - 0.020" (0.41 - 0.51 mm)
Compatible Lead Lengths		≤0.09" (2.27 mm)	≤0.15" (3.8 mm)
Outer Diameter		0.153" (3.9 mm)	0.20" (5.1 mm)	9.1 mm (0.36")	0.25" (6.4 mm)	0.25" (6.4 mm)
Substrate Thickness		0.093" (2.4 mm)	0.062" (1.6 mm)	3.18 mm (0.125")	0.19" (4.8 mm)	0.19" (4.8 mm)
Drawing (Click for Details)
Compatibility
Laser Diodes	Ø3.8 mm		x	x	x	x
	Ø5.6 mm	x		x	o	o
	Ø9.0 mm	x	x	x
TO Can Packages	TO-5	x	x		x	x
	TO-18	x	x	x	o	o
	TO-46	x	x	x	o	o

Fully Compatible
o Not a Perfect Fit, but Functional
x Not Compatible

• Includes Laser Socket and 3 Feet (0.91 m) of Shielded Cable
• External 13/32"-40 Threads for Compatibility with Select Laser Diode Accessories:
  • Collimation and Focusing Tubes
  • Ø1/2" Post Mounts
  • Cage Plate Mounts
• Includes Clamping and Reverse Protection Diodes to Suppress ESD
• Available with DB9 Connector for Mating Directly with LDC200C Series Laser Controllers

These strain relief and ESD protection products offer a convenient means of connecting a Ø5.6 mm or Ø9 mm laser diode to many of Thorlabs' laser diode controllers. Each model comes with a laser socket mounted to a small printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB contains a Schottky diode to clamp any reverse voltages that might appear across the laser diode, as well as a Zener diode to shunt any excessive voltages or ESD away from the diode.

Each model corresponds to one or more of the standard Pin Styles for laser diodes (see the diagram below) and is compatible with our Laser Diode Collimation and Focusing Tubes, Ø1/2" Post Mounts, and Cage Plate Mounts. SR9 models are designed for laser diodes with forward voltages up to 3.3 V, while SR9H models are designed for laser diodes with forward voltages up to 7.5 V. Each strain relief is available with or without a DB9 connector. Models with item #'s that end in -DB9 are pin compatible with many of our Laser Diode Controllers (see the strain relief cable and controller pin diagrams to determine compatibility). 

Note: These cables are not designed to provide any temperature regulation. More information on temperature regulating a laser diode is provided in the Laser Diode Tutorial.

Supported Pin Codes