Quote:
Originally Posted by rambo1152
back on topic though, are semiconductor laser diode too slow compared to LEDs?
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I have limited knowledge of laser diodes. The answer all depends on the driver circuitry, which also should give protection - the bare diodes seem awfully fragile and easy to blow. Like LEDs, they should be current-fed to modulate them, but with L/Ds there are strict limits - step outside their parameters and you get no second chance. If you just take a laser pointer/pen you can modulate them to some extent by just varying the rail voltage, but yes... this will then be slow.
If I had been able to use a laser instead of a (rather special) LED for my 60MHz dem, the range would have been effectively unlimited. As it is, the range is set by beam spread from the transmitting condenser lens.
Steve