10A to 450A High Power Laser Diode Driver

IXYS Corporation announced today the introduction of the PCX-7500-EX high-power laser diode driver/current source by its IXYS Colorado division. This instrument provides precision pulsed current with accurate microprocessor-based digital power control.

The PCX-7500-EX is an air-cooled, benchtop current source designed to drive laser diodes, bars and arrays at up to 450A and 110 Volts maximum forward voltage. Pulse widths are adjustable from 30 microseconds to 5,000 microseconds, with a frequency up to 10,000Hz. The PCX-7500 is designed for research, laboratory, scientific and industrial applications.

Utilizing USB, Ethernet or RS-232 communication choices standard with the PCX-7500, users can easily develop automated testing and characterization configurations that can be stored in the instrument’s on-board memory. It may also be operated through its intuitive front panel controls. The color LCD provides immediate visual confirmation of all operating parameters.

The PCX-7500-EX builds on the proven design of the PCX-7500 current source. While the PCX-7500 offers various models to tailor the driver to the diode load depending upon its internal power supply, the PCX-7500-EX uses an external dc power supply to source the laser diode forward voltage. By matching the dc supply to the diode’s forward voltage, a single PCX-7500-EX current source can power a variety of laser diodes at full output current, from a single device to a 110-Volt diode array.

PCX-7500 features: Rise and fall times less than 15 microseconds; Ability to drive both single diodes and arrays at forward voltages up to 110V, determined by input dc power supply voltage; Diode and driver safety features, including overcurrent limit, open-load detection and diode steering (prevents reverse current); Simplified operation with intuitive touch screen interface; Ethernet, USB and RS232 computer interfaces standard; and RoHS compliant

“The PCX-7500-EX builds on the proven design of the PCX-7500 to provide the user with even greater operating and design flexibility,” said Stephen Krausse, General Manager of IXYS Colorado. “This driver leverages decades of IXYS Colorado designs and the power integration experience of our parent company, IXYS Corporation, with its advanced power MOS device technology, to deliver one of the highest power, most user-friendly drivers available on the market today.”

The PCX-7500-EX is available directly from IXYS Colorado (also known as Directed Energy, Inc. or DEI)