COMPACT-SIZE ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR DIODE-LASER CHARACTERISTIC CURVE TRACING

In order to monitor the voltage-current (V-l) and optical-power-curren t (P-l) characteristic curves of pulsed diode lasers, we have designed , built, and tested a compact-size, low-cost electronic device with th e function of both supplying periodic variable-amplitude current pulse s to the diode laser and transmitting Y-X (either V-l or P-l) signals to an ordinary oscilloscope. The paper describes the features of the d evice and the results of its testing by characterizing two sample InGa As/AlGaAs diode lasers. (C) 1996 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentat ion Engineers.