Abstract:

A high-precision nanosecond pulse driver was designed and developed by using DSP and analog proportional integral (PI) control technology. In terms of hardware, this system includes nanosecond pulse generator circuit, constant current control circuit, slow starts circuit, ESD protection circuit, over-current protection circuit, et al. Meanwhile, in respect of control scheme, the current stability was effectively ensured by use of simulation PI algorithm for feedback control. The driver with pulse width of 15 ns, peak drive current of 20 amps and pulse rise/fall time of less than 5 ns is achieved. With this driver, performed driving test on a QCL with a center wavelength at 7.71 μm, which is manufactured by institute of semiconductor, CAS. The results show that during long term (>100 h) operation, the center wavelength of the tested QCL does not shift, and there is no glitch regarding the driving current. Therefore, the fabricated driver provides superior performance that guarantees the application of the QCL in infrared gas detection.

Key words: optoelectronics and laser technology, infrared quantum cascade laser, high-precision nanosecond pulse drive power