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Backmatched laser diode driver

  • US 5,521,933 A
  • Filed: 03/07/1995
  • Issued: 05/28/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/07/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for driving a semiconductor laser diode at high currents from a drive circuit that is physically and thermally isolated from the laser diode, the apparatus comprising:

  • a semiconductor laser diode;

    a drive circuit, for generating current signals to be applied to the semiconductor laser diode;

    a transmission line having input terminals to which the drive circuit is connected and output terminals to which the semiconductor laser diode is connected, the transmission line having sufficient length to provide a desired physical separation of the semiconductor laser diode from the drive circuit, and having a characteristic impedance; and

    a backmatching impedance connected across the input terminals of the transmission line, and having an impedance approximately matching the characteristic impedance of the transmission line;

    whereby use of the backmatching impedance at the input terminals of the transmission line avoids the location of any heat producing components near the semiconductor laser diode, the temperature of which can then be conveniently controlled.

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