ILX Lightwave LDX-36018-35 – Laser Diode Driver, High Power CW/QCW

The ILX Lightwave LDX-36018-35 is a high-power laser diode driver delivering precise current and voltage control for Continuous Wave (CW) and Quasi-Continuous Wave (QCW) applications. Built for demanding test environments, it combines 18 A CW output with 40 A QCW/pulsed capability, 35 V compliance voltage, and sub-microsecond fault response. The driver integrates current and voltage limiting, photodiode measurement, temperature monitoring, and multiple transient protection mechanisms. GPIB control, programmable trigger functions, and save/recall capability enable rapid characterization and automated testing workflows.

Technical Specifications Current Output

CW output: 18 A

QCW/hard pulse output: 40 A

Current resolution: 10 mA

Current accuracy: ±(0.1% FS + 10 mA) or ±0.1%

1-hour stability: <100 ppm FS

Adjustable current limit: 0 to full scale Voltage Output

Compliance voltage: 35 V

Adjustable voltage limit: 0 to full scale Pulse Operation

Pulse width: 40 μs to 2 s

Repetition rate: 0.1 Hz to 1 kHz

Duty cycle: 0.5% to 20% or 0.5% to 90%

Rise/fall time: <10 μs Monitoring & Measurement

Forward voltage accuracy: ±0.05% of 20 mV

Forward voltage resolution: 10 mV

Monitor current range: 3 to 10,000 μA

Monitor current accuracy: ±0.1% FS

Photodiode reverse bias: 0 to 5 V

Temperature monitoring: Thermistor input supported Protection & Response

Output shorting relay: Normally closed

Current limit response: <2 μs

Open circuit response: <50 μs

Interlock response: <6 ms

Output enable delay: 2 s

Transient protection: Output On/Off, power up/down, EFT/surge Interfaces & Control

GPIB (IEEE 488)

Programmable trigger input/output with adjustable delays

Configuration save/recall Power & Environmental

Input: 100-120 VAC or 200-240 VAC

Operating temperature: 0 °C to 40 °C

Maximum humidity: <80% RH, non-condensing

Maximum altitude: 3000 m

Weight: 11.9 kg

Dimensions: 146 × 483 × 451 mm

Display: 5-digit or dual 5-digit green LED

Key Features

Dual-mode operation supports both steady-state and pulsed laser characterization

<2 μs current limiting protects devices during fault conditions

Integrated photodiode measurement (3 to 10,000 μA range) eliminates external instrumentation

Thermistor input enables real-time junction temperature monitoring

Programmable trigger I/O with delays supports synchronization to external test sequences

GPIB remote control and save/recall streamline multi-device production test

Typical Applications

High-power diode laser characterization (reliability, L-I curves, thermal analysis)

Pulsed laser testing (fiber-coupled pump sources, free-space systems)

Automated production test with configuration recall

Long-term stability monitoring and burn-in

Compatibility & Integration GPIB connectivity enables integration into ATE and laboratory automation frameworks. Trigger I/O supports synchronized operation with optical measurement instruments and data acquisition systems. Dual-supply design (100-120/200-240 VAC) accommodates global lab installations.