Abstract A low voltage trigger pulse is coupled to a three-stage driver which genees therefrom a high amplitude (e.g., 20 amp.) decaying current spike of predetermined width. The current pulse or spike from the driver is coupled to the gates of a multiplicity (i.e., 12) of parallel-connected field effect transistors (FETs) to turn or switch the same to the "ON" state. A laser diode array is series-connected with the parallel connected FETs so that when the latter is switched ON a very high (100 amp.) current pulse is delivered to the laser diode array to enable the same. At the cessation of the pulser current drive, a passive pull-down technique is used to enhance the turn-off of the parallel-connected FETs so that the laser diode array is quickly disabled. A protective overload circuit sets a limit to the average current through the laser diode array without affecting the pulse burst current.
Inventors
👤 Walter E. Milberger
👤 Charles S. Kerfoot
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-10-25 18:32
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S5/00; H01S5/04; H01S5/042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A laser diode modulator for generating a high current, short duration, pulse type signal in response to a low level voltage, input pulse signal comprising driver means responsive to said input pulse signal for generating a high amplitude current pulse of controlled predetermined width, a multiplicity of field effect transistors connected in parallel with said multiplicity being series connected with said laser diode, a high current source coupled to said laser diode, and means for coupling said current pulse to the gates of said field effect transistors to enable the same and thereby cause the flow of very high current from the source through the laser diode and multiplicity of field effect transistors.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
A laser diode modulator for generating a high current, short duration, pulse type signal in response to a low level voltage, input pulse signal comprising driver means responsive to said input pulse signal for generating a high amplitude current pulse of controlled predetermined width, a multiplicity of field effect transistors connected in parallel with said multiplicity being series connected with said laser diode, a high current source coupled to said laser diode, and means for coupling said current pulse to the gates of said field effect transistors to enable the same and thereby cause the flow of very high current from the source through the laser diode and multiplicity of field effect transistors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A laser diode modulator as defined in claim 1 wherein said driver means includes pull-down means for abruptly disabling the field effect transistors when the current pulse coupled to the gates of said transistors ceases.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A laser diode modulator as defined in claim 2 wherein said driver means includes means for controlling the width of said current pulse.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A laser diode modulator as defined in claim 3 including a duty-sensitive overload circuit for setting a predetermined limit to the average current flow through the laser diode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A laser diode modulator as defined in claim 4 wherein selected circuit components of said overload circuit can be changed to change said predetermined limit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A laser diode modulator as defined in claim 5 wherein said multiplicity of field effect transistors comprises at least twelve in number.