Thorlabs Inc.
Visit the Precision Constant Current Laser Drivers page for pricing and availability information

Precision Constant Current Laser Drivers

  • Zener & Schottky Diode Protection
  • 250 mA and 2.5 A Versions
  • RoHS Compliant Drivers Available

LD3000R

LD1255R

Application Idea

LD1255R

Mounted on an LD1255P
(Power Supply Not Included)

Hide Overview

OVERVIEW

Item # LD1255R LD3000R
Operating Current 0.2 to 250 mA 0.02 to 2.5 A
Operating Mode Constant Current
Internal Current Control 12 Turn Potentiometer (On Board)
External Current Control 0 to 5 Volt Analog Input Voltage
Operating Voltage ±8 to 12 Volts
Monitor Photodiode
Transimpedance Gain		 1000 V/A

The LD1255R (250 mA) is a low-noise, highly-stable, constant-current laser diode driver. The LD3000R is a higher-power (2.5 A) version of the LD1255R. These laser drivers are also recommended for driving LEDs. Both laser current drivers fully support the A, D, and E pin configurations (shown below).

Pin Style A
Pin Style D
Pin Style E

Note: The photodiode monitor circuits of the LD1255R and LD3000R only support lasers that have an isolated photodiode anode (i.e. the photodiode cathode connected to the laser anode). They will not work with common cathode lasers. CONNECTING THE PHOTODIODE OF THESE LASERS TO THE LD1255R or LD3000R WILL DESTROY THE LASER. The LD1255R and LD3000R will operate the laser portion of all common cathode lasers without any problems as long as the photodiode anode is not connected to the driver.


Hide Specs

SPECS

Item # LD1255R
Operating Current 0.2 to 250 mA
Operating Mode Constant Current
Internal Current Control 12 Turn Potentiometer (On Board)
External Current Control 0 to 5 V Analog Input Voltage
Output Current Drift  4.4 μA/°C (Typical)
Current Noise <1 μARMS
Operating Voltage ±8 to 12 V
Dimensions 2.45" x 1.03" (62.2 mm x 25.4 mm)
LD ESD Protection Forward Voltage: 160 ms Slow-Start Circuit, 3.3 V Zener Diode,
Reverse Voltage: Schottky Diode, LD DISABLE Pin
Signal Bandwidth 1.2 kHz
Monitor Photodiode
Transimpedance Gain 1000 V/A
Max LD Forward Voltage 3.3 V
Operating Temperature 10 to 30 °C
Storage Temperature -20 to 50 °C
Warm-up Time 30 Minutes
Item # LD3000R
Operating Current 0.02 to 2.5 A
Operating Mode Constant Current
Internal Current Control 12 Turn Potentiometer (On Board)
External Current Control 0 to 5 V Analog Input Voltage
Operating Voltage ±8 to 12 V
Dimensions 3.6" x 1.3" (91.4 mm x 33.0 mm)
Monitor Photodiode
Transimpedance Gain 1000 V/A
Operating Temperature 10 to 30 °C
Storage Temperature -20 to 50 °C
Warm-up Time 30 Minutes

Hide Pin Diagrams

PIN DIAGRAMS

LD1255R Top View

LD1255 Top View

LD3000R Top View

LD3000 Top View

LD1255R Pin Designations

Pin Function
J1-1 +V (+8 to +12 VDC, 10 mA)
J1-2 Common
J1-3 -V (-8 to -12 VDC, 0.3A) Provides Power to Laser
J1-4 External Current Control (0 to +5 V)
J1-5 Disable
J1-6 Laser Diode Anode
J1-7 Laser Diode Cathode
J1-8 Monitor Photo Diode Anode (From Laser)a
J1-9 Photodiode Monitor Output (-1 V/mA)
J1-10 Laser Current Monitor Output (10 mV/mA)
  • The LD1255R photodiode monitor circuit only supports lasers that have a photodiode with an isolated anode. It will not support common cathode lasers such as the CQL7825/D and CQL7840/D.

LD3000R Pin Designations

Pin Function
J1-1 +V (+5 to +12 VDC, 50 mA)
J1-2 Ground
J1-3 -V (-8 to -12 VDC, 2.5A) Provides Power to Laser
J1-4 External Current Control (0 to +5 V)
J1-5 No Contact (Polarization Key)
J1-6 Laser Diode Anode (Internally Connected to Pin 2 Ground)
J1-7 Laser Diode Cathode
J1-8 Monitor Photo Diode Anode (From Laser)a
J1-9 Photodiode Monitor Output (-1 V/mA)
J1-10 Laser Current Monitor Output (1 V/A)
  • The photodiode monitor circuit of the LD3000R only supports lasers that have an isolated photodiode anode (i.e. the photodiode cathode connected to the laser anode). It will not work with common cathode lasers. CONNECTING THE PHOTODIODE OF THESE LASERS TO THE LD3000R WILL DESTROY THE LASER. The LD3000R will operate the laser portion of all common cathode lasers without any problems as long as the photodiode anode is not connected to the driver.
J2 Pins to Jumper Operating Mode
1 to 2 Mode 1. COMMON Referenced
External Current Control
2 to 3 Mode 2. Disable External Current Control
J2 Pins to Jumper Operating Mode
2 to 3 Mode 1. COMMON Referenced
External Current Control
4 to 5 Mode 2. Disable External Current Control

IMPORTANT! Do not operate the LD3000R without a jumper installed on J2. Your laser may be overdriven and permanently damaged.

Remaining J2 Pins Function
1 No Connection (Leave This Pin Floating)
5 -V (May Also Be Used for Monitoring Signals)

Hide Smart Pack

SMART PACK

LD3000R SmartPack Packaging
Click to Enlarge
LD3000R Packaging
Smart Pack

Smart Pack

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

Thorlabs' Smart Pack Initiative is aimed at minimizing waste while providing adequate protection for our products. By eliminating any unnecessary packaging, implementing design changes, and utilizing eco-friendly materials, this initiative seeks to reduce the environmental impact of our product packaging.

The updated LD3000R packaging primarily consists of recycled paper and cardboard and weighs 15.26% less than the original packaging. This weight change results in a 1.32 kg reduction in travel-based CO2 emissions per year, based on typical product sales.

As we move through our product line, we will indicate re-engineered, eco-friendly packaging with our Smart Pack logo, which can be seen above.


Hide Selection Guide

SELECTION GUIDE

Laser Diode Controller Selection Guide

Tables 137A and 137B 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.

Table 137A  Current Controllers
Item # Drive Current Compliance Voltage Constant Current Constant Power Modulation Package
LDC200CV 20 mA 6 V Yes! Yes! External Benchtop
VLDC002 25 mA 5 V Yes! - Int/Ext OEM
LDC201CU 100 mA 5 V Yes! Yes! External Benchtop
LD2000R 100 mA 3.5 V - Yes! External OEM
EK2000 100 mA 3.5 V - Yes! External OEM
LDC202C 200 mA 10 V Yes! Yes! External Benchtop
KLD101 230 mA ≤10 V Yes! Yes! External K-Cube®
IP250-BV 250 mA 8 Va Yes! Yes! External OEM
LD1100 250 mA 6.5 Va - Yes! -- OEM
LD1101 250 mA 6.5 Va - Yes! -- OEM
EK1101 250 mA 6.5 Va - Yes! -- OEM
EK1102 250 mA 6.5 Va - Yes! -- OEM
LD1255R 250 mA 3.3 V Yes! - External OEM
LDC205C 500 mA 10 V Yes! Yes! External Benchtop
IP500 500 mA 3 V Yes! Yes! External OEM
LDC210C 1 A 10 V Yes! Yes! External Benchtop
LDC220C 2 A 4 V Yes! Yes! External Benchtop
LD3000R 2.5 A -- Yes! - External OEM
LDC240C 4 A 5 V Yes! Yes! External Benchtop
LDC4005 5 A 12 V Yes! Yes! Int/Ext Benchtop
LDC4020 20 A 11 V Yes! Yes! Int/Ext Benchtop
  • When using a 12 V power supply.
Table 137B  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 Yes! - Int/Ext OEM
ITC102 200 mA >4 V 12 W Yes! Yes! Ext OEM
ITC110 1 A >4 V 12 W Yes! Yes! Ext OEM
ITC4001 1 A 11 V >96 W Yes! Yes! Int/Ext Benchtop
CLD1010LPa 1.0 A >8 V >14.1 W Yes! Yes! Ext Benchtop
CLD1011LPb 1.0 A >8 V >14.1 W Yes! Yes! Ext Benchtop
CLD1015c 1.5 A >4 V >14.1 W Yes! Yes! Ext Benchtop
ITC4002QCLd 2 A 17 V >225 W Yes! Yes! Int/Ext Benchtop
ITC133 3 A >4 V 18 W Yes! Yes! Ext OEM
ITC4005 5 A 12 V >225 W Yes! Yes! Int/Ext Benchtop
ITC4005QCLd 5 A 20 V >225 W Yes! Yes! Int/Ext Benchtop
ITC4020 20 A 11 V >225 W Yes! Yes! 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).


Hide OEM Precision Constant Current Driver: 250 mA, 3.3 V

OEM Precision Constant Current Driver: 250 mA, 3.3 V

  • Laser Disable Pin
  • Slow-Start Circuit for Laser Protection
  • LD1255P Allows Mounting to an Optical Table or Breadboard
  • Size: 2.45" x 1.03" (62.2 mm x 25.4 mm)
  • RoHS-Compliant
  • Low Current Noise (<1 μARMS)
  • Low Temperature Drift
  • On-Board 12-Turn Laser Current Control
  • External Input for Laser Current Control
  • Monitor Output for Laser Current and Photodiode Current

The LD1255R is a low-noise, ultra-stable, constant-current laser diode driver. It supplies up to 250 mA of drive current, supports laser pin configurations A, D, and E, and is ideally suited for demanding diode laser applications such as operating a laser diode in an external cavity tunable laser. This second-generation laser diode driver includes on-board Zener and Schottky diode protection as well as a disable pin. The op-amp and voltage reference design enables more precise laser current control. The LD1255P Mounting Plate, which features 8-32 and M4 taps for post mounting, allows the LD1255R to be secured to a breadboard or optical table. A power supply and cable compatible with the LD1255R laser diode driver are also offered separately below.


Part Number
Description
Price
Availability
LD1255R
250 mA Precision Constant Current Laser Driver, RoHS Compliant
$180.56
Today
LD1255P
LD1255R Optical Table Mounting Plate
$35.34
2 Weeks

Hide OEM Precision Constant Current Driver: 2.5 A, 7.7 V

OEM Precision Constant Current Driver: 2.5 A, 7.7 V

  • Low Noise 2.5 A Drive Current
  • Slow-Start Circuit for Laser Protection
  • RoHS-Compliant
  • Low Noise 12 µARMS at 1.0 A
  • On-Board 12-Turn Potentiometer Current Control
  • External Input for Current Control
  • Monitor Outputs for Diode and Photodiode Current

The LD3000R driver is a higher-power version of Thorlabs' popular LD1255R ultra-stable, low-noise laser diode driver featured above. It utilizes high-current components, supplies 2.5 A, and supports pin configurations A, D, and E. The aluminum housing allows additional heat sinking, which results in a highly stable laser diode driver in a relatively small package. This device can operate both LEDs and laser diodes.


Part Number
Description
Price
Availability
LD3000R
Laser Diode Driver, 2.5 A Constant Current
$219.56
Today

Hide Power Supply with Cable for LD1255R Driver

Power Supply with Cable for LD1255R Driver

LD3000R SmartPack Packaging
Click to Enlarge
Pin Diagram for the Included Cable
Pin # Assignment
1 +12 V
2 GND
3 -12 V
  • Power Supply (Item # LDS12B) and Cable for Use with the
    LD1255R Driver
  • 3 Pin Cable Output Connects to Driver
  • ±12 VDC Output
  • Switchable Input Voltage: 100 V, 120 V, or 230 V

The LD1255-SUPPLY Bundle includes the LDS12B Power Supply and the appropriate cable to connect to the LD1255R Laser Diode Driver (available above). A switch on the power supply box enables the user to choose a 100 V, 120 V, or 230 V input voltage. The cable is able to transmit ±12 VDC from the power supply to the LD1255R laser diode driver; it is not compatible with the LD3000R Laser Diode Driver. The included cable can be ordered separately from the power supply by contacting Tech Support. 


Part Number
Description
Price
Availability
LD1255-SUPPLY
Cable and LDS12B Power Supply Bundle for LD1255R Driver and PDAPC Series Photodetectors
$136.06
Today