Application Note AN-LDTC08 Rev.

Product Selection &

Comparison
August, 2018
Page 1

ABSTRACT

Wavelength Electronics offers a wide variety of laser diode drivers, quantum cascade laser (QCL) drivers,
and temperature controllers. Depending on the parameters of your application, there may be several options
that fit your needs. This document will simplify product selection, and answer frequently asked questions.

INTRODUCTION PACKAGING REQUIREMENTS

Wavelength offers a variety of products that are designed to Next, decide what kind of packaging works best in your
fit a multitude of applications. Our product lines are broken application. Wavelength offers three basic styles:
up into four basic categories:
1. Components1
1. Laser Diode Drivers 2. Modules1
2. Quantum Cascade Laser Drivers 3. Instruments
3. Temperature Controllers
4. Combined Laser Drivers/Temperature Controllers For systems where the controllers are being designed in,
components or modules are chosen.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Components are small (on average 2.0" × 1.5") and provide
The first step in product selection is to narrow down your lower current. They generally have no moving parts, and
needs. connect to already existing electronics via pins that mount
onto a circuit board. Heat sinks and evaluation boards are
• What are your current/voltage requirements to the usually available as accessories. Components require you
load? (See Table 1 below.) to provide a power supply and voltmeter to monitor settings.
• What packaging requirements do you have?
• What amount of heat can you dissipate safely? Modules are larger than components (on average 3.9" × 3.2")
• Do you need a laser driver? and are more of a standalone unit than components. They
• Is the laser a diode laser, or a quantum cascade may have moving parts such as trimpots, switches, or
laser with higher compliance voltage requirements? jumpers. They require you to provide a power supply, and a
• Do you need a laser driver with temperature control? voltmeter for measuring voltage and/or current. Additionally,
• Do you need only temperature control? modules do not come with integrated heat sinking. Modules
can be mounted either inside a chassis, or placed on the
If you need both a laser driver and temperature control, benchtop. If placed on the benchtop, heatsinking must be
Wavelength has products that combine both into one unit. added. A major difference between modules and components
is that modules connect via cables, not pins. Thus, there are
LDTC cables, not evaluation boards as accessories for modules.
PARAMETER LD QCL TC Units
to LD to TC
Imax 15 2 10 2.2 2.2 Amps
Vmax 87 20 30 12 27.9 Volts
Table 1. Shows maximum current and voltage ratings for
standard products. Product variations are
used to achieve 87 V LD output.
1  OEM product

© 2018 • Sales & Technical Support: (406) 587-4910 • email: [email protected] • web: www.teamWavelength.com
 Application Note AN-LDTC08 Rev. B
Page 2

Instruments are designed for researchers that need

OTHER KEY FEATURES
flexibility and ease of use. They are the largest of the three
categories (2U half rack in size). Instruments come with a • Safety Features (interlock, current limits,
fully functioning user interface (touch screen capability on temperature limits, etc.)
the TC LAB and QCL LAB instruments). They have a built- • Adjustable Compliance Voltage
in power supply, which needs to be plugged into AC wall • Best-in-Class Stability
power. Instruments can either be set on the benchtop, or in • Lowest Noise Available With Highest Modulation
a rack (see Rack Mount Solutions accessories). Instruments Bandwidth (QCL)
provide the greatest ease of use and versatility, while • Multiple Operation Modes
maintaining high performance. • LabVIEW Connectivity
• Multiple Interface Options
See pages 3 & 4 for to-scale drawings of temperature • Product Variations
controller and laser driver components and modules. • Accessories
• Excellent Technical Support
SAFE OPERATING AREA (SOA) • On Time Delivery
• OEM Friendly Pricing
Any component or module that is chosen has a Safe
Operating Area (SOA). It is imperative that you first
determine what the SOA is for your application, and that
you select a product that will not exceed the SOA during
operation. Operating any product outside of the SOA may
cause damage to the product itself, and/or other products
within your setup. Operating outside of the SOA will void the
warranty.

It is recommended that you use the SOA calculators on our

website. There are SOA calculators for both laser diode
drivers and temperature controllers. Simply choose your
product from the dropdown menu, select any applicable
options, and click "Draw SOA Curve" to generate a graph of
the SOA for your product.

Additionally, within the SOA calculator, you can simulate

how the device works in your application. Enter any device
specific parameters, then click "Find SOA Compliance."

Further SOA resources include an application note

AN-LDTC01: The Principle of the Safe Operating Area, and
a Safe Operating Area video.

If you have any questions about the Safe Operating Area, or

the Safe Operating Area calculator, call the factory for free
and prompt technical assistance.

Wavelength Electronics offers many other key features that

may influence your product choice.

© 2018 • Sales & Technical Support: (406) 587-4910 • email: [email protected] • web: www.teamWavelength.com
 Application Note AN-LDTC08 Rev. B
Page 3
in cm
1
2 TEMPERATURE CONTROLLERS

HTC
1

Series
3

Imax = up to 4A
4

Vmax = up to 30V
5
2

6
7

PTC-CH
3

Series
8

RHM5K-CH
Imax = up to 10A Series
9

Vmax = up to 30V
Imax = up to 5A
10

Vmax = up to 30V
4

11
12
5

13

WHY5640 WTCP5V5A WTC

Series
14

Imax = up to 2.2A Imax = up to 5A Imax = up to 2.2A

15

Vmax = up to 24V Vmax = up to 5.5V Vmax = up to 30V

6

16
17
7

18

LDTC 2/2 LDTC xx20

Series Series
19

Imax = up to 2.2A (TEC) Imax = up to 2.2A (TEC)

Vmax = up to 27.9V (TEC) Vmax = up to 28.4V (TEC)
20
8

Imax = up to 2.2A (LDD) Imax = up to 1A (LDD)

21

Vmax = up to 5V (LDD) Vmax = up to 12V (LDD)

1
22
9

23

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24
25
0
 Application Note AN-LDTC08 Rev. B
Page 4
in cm
LASER DIODE DRIVERS

1
FL500
LDD P

2
Imax = up to 500mA Series

1
Vmax = up to 12V

3
Imax = up to 400mA
Vmax = up to 12V PLD PLD
200/500 1250/5000/6500

4
WLD3343
Series Imax = up to 500mA Imax = up to 6.5A

5
2
Vmax = up to 30V Vmax = up to 30V
Imax = up to 3A
Vmax = up to 12V

6
7
3

8
9
10
4
PLD-CH

11
Series
LDxCHA

12
Imax = up to 12.5A
Series Vmax = up to 30V*

13
Imax = up to 15A *PV up to 80V
Vmax = up to 30V

14
15
6

16
17
7

18

LDTC xx20 LDTC 2/2

Series Series
19

Imax = up to 1A (LDD) Imax = up to 2.2A (LDD)

Vmax = up to 12V (LDD) Vmax = up to 5V (LDD)
20
8

Imax = up to 2.2A (TEC) Imax = up to 2.2A (TEC)

21

Vmax = up to 28.4V (TEC) Vmax = up to 27.9V (TEC)

1

22
9

23

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24
25
0
 Application Note AN-LDTC08 Rev. B
Page 5

SUMMARY
The table below outlines the major differences between the different types of products that are available for purchase from
Wavelength.

TYPE SIZE MOUNT POWER SUPPLY CONNECTION UI

Component* Smallest Circuit Board User-supplied Pins (to PCB) Via PCB
Module* Medium Benchtop or Chassis User-supplied Cables Via Cables
Instrument Largest Benchtop or Rack AC Wall Power Cables Display or Remote
* OEM Products
Table 2. Comparison of packaging sizes for Wavelength products.

If you have needs that are not met by any of our standard products, please contact Technical Support
([email protected]), to discuss product variations that best suit your needs.

At Wavelength Electronics, we are committed to producing top of the line products that have best-in-class stability with high
precision. Please contact us if you have any other questions.

REVISION HISTORY
Document Number: AN-LDTC08
KEYWORDS
REVISION DATE NOTES
product selection, OEM, components, modules,
instruments, laser diode drivers, quantum cascade laser A April 2017 Initial Release
drivers, temperature controllers B August 2018 Added LDxCHA

© 2018 • Sales & Technical Support: (406) 587-4910 • email: [email protected] • web: www.teamWavelength.com