VI and PI Characteristics of Laser Diodes

Aim: To draw the VI and PI characteristics of the Laser diodes operating at a wavelength of 660 nm
and to determine the threshold current of the given laser diode.

Equipment required: OFT power supply, digital multi-meter, LD unit, LD driver module with its
accessories, Fiber Optic Power meter with ST adaptor, Mounting Posts

Caution:
1. Laser radiation. Avoid direct eye or skin exposure to laser beam while setting up the system
or conducting experiments. Always view only the reflected rays while setting up the system
or while conducting experiments.
2. Follow the steps given below in the same order whenever the system is setup for use or
dismantled.
3. Always keep the multi-turn pot in its minimum position while Power ON and power OFF the
unit to avoid damage to the LD.
4. Do not keep the LD unit in power ON condition for more than few minutes with its maximum
power as this will cause permanent damage to the LD.

Procedure:
1. Fix the LD unit and the power unit on the mounting posts.
2. Connect OFT power supply properly to the LD driver unit using the DIN-DIN cable
provided with the power supply.
3. The LD driver has a multi-turn potentiometer that must be kept in minimum position to
avoid damage to the LD.
4. The visible LD has a collimating lens that can be connected to the driver unit.
5. A flat cable with 10x2 header at one end and 9 pin D-type connector at the other end is
used to connect the LD unit to the LD driver.
6. Mount the power meter also (with its ST adaptor) onto another post and keep them close
to each other and in line with each other.
7. Adjust the height of the power meter and the LD unit by adjusting the mounting base of
the posts in such a way that both of them are of same height and in line with each other.
8. Adjust the collimating lens of the LD unit such that the bright spot turns to a very
small focused bright spot. Adjust the mounting post of either power meter or the LD
unit such that this spot passes through the bare fiber adaptor of the meter and the
meter reads a value of approximately -20dBm.
9. So try adjusting either of the post to achieve this. It is recommended to adjust only
one post always (either meter or the LD) so that it is easier to arrive at the right
direction and the height. Very precise adjustment is required to achieve this.
10. Do not disturb this mechanical setup until the experiment is over. Keep the pot at the
minimum position. Turn ON the power to the module.
11. Measure the voltage V1 across the resistor R1 and calculate the current through the
LD ILD which is given as ILD = V1/ R1. (Measure the value of the resistance)
12. Measure the voltage VLD across the LD.
13. Now without changing any voltage or the multi-turn pot position, measure the optical
power output P of the LD. Calculate the power in mW which is given as P = 10 P/10
0
14. Increase the current through LD by turning the multi-turn pot clockwise direction
slightly towards the maximum till you get a convenient reading V 1 and repeat the
steps 2 to 5 and tabulate them as shown below:
 S. No. VLD (Volts) ILD (mA) P (dB)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

15. Repeat step 4 till the multi-turn pot reaches its maximum position and plot the graph
for VLD Vs ILD and ILD Vs P0.
16. The threshold current of the LD can be found out from the P-I characteristics graph.
Note down the current from the P-I graph at which there is a sharp rise in the optical
output power. This is the threshold current of the LD.

Model Graphs:

Result: The PI and VI Characteristics of the Laser diode are studied. And the threshold
current of the given LD operating at 660 nm is ______________.