Laser Components has introduced a range of laser diodes featuring a driver circuit integrated inside the TO can. By converting an external automatic power control (APC) circuit board into an ASIC, the company packaged the APC circuit into a standard 5.6mm TO-can.
With the aid of an integrated monitor photodiode, such laser diodes provide 5mW or 7mW output power with stable operation up to 70°C. The devices can even be offered in a very small 3.3mm TO can package. The cost of these APC lasers matches their physical size being mass produced in our Far East factory. A power supply of 3-6V DC is required and the output power can be adjusted via an external variable resistor of 2-8kΩ. Standard wavelengths are 635 and 650nm.