Laser diodes are extremely sensitive to electro-static discharge, excessive current levels, current spikes, or transients from power surges or other laboratory equipment. One of the most important features we have implemented into each instrument is the ILX Lightwave proven laser diode protection standards. These standards have led to advanced protection features such as a double-shielded transformer to reduce AC line noise, and incorporating our voltage source/constant current output stage design  to maintain a constant output current. During power up, the laser is protected from over current and turn-on transient conditions by a slow start routine designed to ramp the current to the desired set point referred to as slow-start. The LDX-3412 also employs our proven current limit circuit, which ensures current adjustment without over-driving. This allows the current limit to be safely set, even while the unit is actively driving a laser at a lower current level, because it is independent of the main current control. For more information about these protection features, please see our Protecting Your Laser Diode application note.

The LDX-3412 output broadband noise is less than 0.01% rms, and temperature coefficient stability is better than 100 ppm/°C. Under typical laboratory conditions, output current drift is less than 50 ppm over a 30-minute period, in constant current mode.