MAX3701: Interfacing the MAX3701 to a Blue/Violet Laser Diode [Application Brief]

Abstract

This Application Brief is an outline of the detailed information that can be found in the complete version of HFDN (High Frequency Design Note) 028.0.HFDN-028.0 explains in detail how optical measurements were performed, and provides guidelines for interfacingthe MAX3701 blue laser driver with the blue/violet laser.

Figure 1. Optical output of a blue/violet laser driven by the MAX3701.

Figure 1. Optical output of a blue/violet laser driven by the MAX3701.

Background and Purpose

Optical measurements of the MAX3701 driving a blue/violet laser diode were performed prior to the release of the MAX3701 in October of 2003. These measurements verified that the MAX3701 is capable of driving the blue/violet laser with rise/fall times of ≤1ns and overshoot <9% as shown in Figure 1.

This Application Brief is an outline of the detailed information that can be found in the complete version of HFDN (High Frequency Design Note) 28.0. HFDN-28.0 explains in detail how optical measurements were performed, and provides guidelines for interfacing the MAX3701 with the blue/violet laser.

The complete version of HFDN-28.0 can be obtained by request from the following link: MAX3701 datasheet.

Topics include:

Optical Evaluation Printed Circuit Board

  • Materials and layout of the MAX3701 optical evaluation board
  • Schematic diagram of the laser interface
  • Connections and geometry of transmission lines

Optical Test Equipment

  • Optical test equipment setup
  • Mounting information, including thermal heat sink
  • Fiber optic patch cable alignment
  • Optical-to-electrical converter
  • Oscilloscope-recorded waveforms of blue/violet laser driver optical output

Performance Optimization

  • Parasitic elements
  • Reducing overshoot and ringing on rising and falling edges
  • Minimizing inductance

Decreasing the Rise/Fall Time

  • Optical rise and fall times limitations
  • Analysis and performance relationships