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Quantum Cascade Laser Test
System
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Quantum Cascade Laser Testing System |
Overview:
Vektrex designed and constructed a turnkey burn-in
test system for a supplier of infrared light sources
based upon quantum cascade lasers. The company needed the system to
do controlled non-destructive testing of incoming lasers. A key challenge
was the fragility of the lasers devices -- they could only be driven with
very short (less than 3uS) current pulses, and only a small amount of
current overshoot could be tolerated before the device was permanently
damaged. This combined with their expense made a protected current source
imperative.
To meet this challenge Vektrex adapted the SpikeSafe
200 8-channel current source to shorten its output pulse characteristic to a
achieve pulses as short as 800nS. The SpikeSafe 200 was integrated into a
turn-key test system complete with holding fixture, computer, bulk power
supply, liquid heat exchanger, and cabinetry.
Interchangeable Fixture
To allow for easy mount and dismount of the lasers a
custom interchangeable test fixture was designed. The fixture was fully
modeled and designed using 3D modeling. The criteria for good thermal
transfer, solid diode mounting, and user accessibility were all met or
exceeded. In addition, the modularity of the system allowed for both offline
loading and different holding plate configurations for other device form
factors. For testing purposes or filling unused locations, high power
resistors were substituted for the actual laser diodes.
For
more information please contact:
Sales, (858)558-8282 option 6
sales@vektrex.com
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