ILX Lightwave LDX-36040-30 – Laser Diode Driver, High Power CW/QCW

The ILX Lightwave LDX-36040-30 is a high-power laser diode driver for CW, QCW, and Hard Pulse operation. It delivers up to 40 A in CW and Hard Pulse modes, 80 A in QCW mode, with 30 V compliance voltage and <100 ppm FS output stability. The driver combines precise current control with comprehensive laser diode protection—overcurrent, overvoltage, thermal, and transient safeguards—plus adjustable limits, output shorting relays, and fast error detection. A 5-digit green LED display provides real-time monitoring of drive current, forward voltage, and photodiode output. Pulsed operation spans 40 μs to 2 s pulse widths at 0.1 to 1000 Hz repetition rates with <10 μs rise/fall times. IEEE 488/GPIB interface, TTL trigger I/O with programmable delay, and onboard memory (1000 points) enable automated test sequences and remote control. Thermistor input with programmable temperature limits disables laser output on thermal excursion. Forward voltage measurement (10 mV resolution, ±0.05% accuracy), monitor current range 3 to 10,000 µA, and 4-wire voltage measurement support precision diagnostics. The unit operates in demanding scientific, industrial, and research environments requiring stable, protected high-current laser drive.

## Technical Specifications

• Output Current (CW): 40 A
• Output Current (QCW): 80 A
• Output Current (Hard Pulse): 40 A
• Setpoint Resolution: 10 mA
• Setpoint Accuracy: ±(0.1% of setting + 40 mA)
• Current Output 1-hour Stability: <100 ppm FS
• Noise/Ripple (RMS): <10 mA
• Temperature Coefficient: <50 ppm FS/°C
• Laser Compliance Voltage: 30 V
• Pulse Width: 40 μs to 2 s
• Pulse Repetition Rate: 0.1 to 1000 Hz
• Duty Cycle: 0.5 to 20%
• Rise/Fall Time: <10 μs
• Forward Voltage Accuracy: +0.05% of 20 mV
• Forward Voltage Resolution: 10 mV
• Monitor Current Accuracy: +0.1% of FS
• Monitor Current Range: 3 to 10,000 µA
• Photodiode Reverse Bias: 0 to 15 V
• Dimensions (H × W × D): 146 mm × 483 mm × 451 mm
• Weight: 13.5 kg

## Key Features

• Three operational modes: CW, QCW, and Hard Pulse
• Overcurrent, overvoltage, thermal, and transient protection
• Adjustable voltage and current limits with output shorting relays
• Slow turn-on/off circuits and fast error detection
• 5-digit green LED display
• Programmable thermistor-based temperature monitoring and disable
• 4-wire voltage measurement and photodiode monitoring
• TTL trigger input/output with adjustable delay
• Onboard memory: 1000-point storage at 30 ms/point upload rate
• Save/recall configuration capability

## Typical Applications

• High-power laser diode characterization and test
• Scientific research requiring stable current control
• Industrial laser system drive and control
• Pulsed laser operation with precise duty cycle management

## Compatibility & Integration

• IEEE 488/GPIB computer interface
• TTL trigger synchronization
• Thermistor temperature sensor input