The Stanford Research LDC502 is a precision laser diode controller delivering simultaneous current and temperature regulation for laboratory and industrial laser systems. It combines a low-noise current source with a high-precision TEC controller, enabling stable operation across demanding applications requiring microradian-level wavelength stability and sub-milliamp current resolution.
Technical Specifications
Laser Diode Current Source
• Output: 0 to 2 A (2000 mA maximum) with selectable 0 to 1 A sub-range
• Setpoint resolution: 0.1 mA
• Accuracy: ±0.02% of full scale
• Thermal stability: <10 ppm/°C
• Short-term stability (1 hr): <5 ppm of full scale
• Long-term stability (24 hr): 1 MΩ (DC)
• Operating modes: Constant Current (CC) and Constant Power (CP) with dynamic mode switching
• Modulation bandwidth: Up to 1 MHz (CC mode) or 10 kHz (CP mode)
Temperature Controller (TEC)
• Output power: 36 W
• Control range: −55 °C to +150 °C (IC sensors); −150 °C to +250 °C (resistor sensors, 10 Ω to 500 kΩ)
• Setpoint resolution: 0.001 °C
• Accuracy: 0.01 °C (calibrated sensor)
• Stability: 0.0005 °C/°C typical
• Sensor types: Thermistor, RTD, and IC sensors supported
• Auto-tuning for PID loop optimization
Additional Outputs
• Compliance voltage: 0 to 10 V programmable (10 mV resolution, ±0.2 V accuracy)
• Photodiode monitor: 0 to 5 V bias, 0 to 10,000 µA range
• Rise/fall time: <20 µs
– Key Features
• Slow-start turn-on with adjustable current limits and compliance voltage
• Multi-voltage AC input: 100 V, 120 V, 220 V, or 240 V nominal (50/60 Hz)
• Fast clamping protection for laser diode safeguarding
– Typical Applications
Fiber optics, telecommunications, spectroscopy, laser metrology, and precision optical instrument calibration.
– Compatibility & Integration
Supports standard thermistor, RTD, and integrated-circuit temperature sensors over extended operating ranges.
