On Thu, 15 Oct 1998, Philip Starbuck wrote:

> I am looking for a laser diode drive circuit that will allow me control
> a laser diode as will as provide the feedback control for the device.  I
> will supply logic level signals of 0.5 to 1 mS to the control circuit
> from a PIC to turn the laser diode off and on.  I would appreciate any
> circuits and or insight into doing this.

Useful information on laser diodes can be found at:

http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/laserdio.htm


A lot of different driver circuits with explanations:

http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/laserdps.htm


Btw, I'm planning to build a PIC-based clock (similar to the rotating LED
designs) which projects the time to a wall using a laser diode. Does
anyone have experience with the mechanical setup for such a thing? After
all one has to rotate the diode on two perpendicular axes. I thought to
use a DC motor with a mirror on the vertical axis (running free, or
perhaps with a simple rpm regulator) and a stepper motor for the
horizontal axis. The diode would then be mounted on the stepper. Is there
a better way?

TIA,
Georg.