A diode driver may be computer-controlled, connected e.g. via a USB, GPIB or a serial interface like RS-232. It may receive inputs, e.g. concerning the requested drive current, and deliver outputs, e.g. concerning the achieved optical output power or. A diode driver may be computer-controlled, connected e.g. via a USB, GPIB or a serial interface like RS-232. It may receive inputs, e.g. concerning the requested drive current, and deliver outputs, e.g. concerning the achieved optical output power or the required diode voltage.Very often, a diode driver has some interlock system, which can switch off the laser in case that a certain safety condition is detected – for example, and opened device housing. It can be very useful to have multiple interlock connections for implementing advanced safety features. Some of them may treat conditions like insufficient coolant flow on. There are devices which can stabilize the optical output power (constant power mode), based on a signal from the photodetector, which may be integrated into the laser diode package. (That is particularly often the case for fiber-coupled laser diodes.) Of course, a certain maximum drive current must never be exceeded; otherwise, a laser diode could. There may be electrical outputs, e.g. delivering a voltage proportional to the laser diode current or the monitored optical power, possibly with a calibration feature.Some drivers are made for operation with a particularly low current noise. This can be important, for example, when driving lasers for sensitive optical measurements. Low-noise operation is mostly offered for low-power devices.
