Dirty diode window

[VirtueViolater]

My nubm44 has a dot dead center of output bar, is there any way to safely try to remove it? How fragile is the diode window? It's been there since first power up. I can't see anything on it under magnification. My m140 is clear as a bell.

 

[InfinitusEquitas]

If you already cleaned it with say a microfiber cloth, nothing else remains to be done. The diode windows are not that fragile.

Only option to remove it would be to decan the diode, but that comes with it's own risks, and issues, and in general is not worth doing.

 

[VirtueViolater]

If you already cleaned it with say a microfiber cloth, nothing else remains to be done. The diode windows are not that fragile.

Only option to remove it would be to decan the diode, but that comes with it's own risks, and issues, and in general is not worth doing.

Ok, thanks for the info, I'll try it. Would alcohol be a good/safe solvent for this application?

 

[InfinitusEquitas]

Don't soak the diode obviously, but you could try a pass with a microfiber towel that's damp with alcohol, and again with a dry cloth. After that if the problem is still there, it's not worth worrying about anymore.

 

[ElectricPlasma]

I would try one of those compressed air can cleaners. That's usually my go-to method, the first thing I try when I see something foreign on the output. Just make sure you use a good, new can (so no dust) and NEVER turn it upside down when in use. If you turn it upside down when in use it will spray out the solution used to keep the air compressed. If you keep it up right, it will shoot out purely compressed air and possibly take away the foreign object. It's always good to use these for lenses too, works almost every time for lenses too.

 

[VirtueViolater]

Don't soak the diode obviously, but you could try a pass with a microfiber towel that's damp with alcohol, and again with a dry cloth. After that if the problem is still there, it's not worth worrying about anymore.

Ok,thanks I.E. gonna give it a try

Got to make a run for thermal grease and heatshrink tube today, I'll pick up the canned air while at it,
Thanks E.P.

 

[VirtueViolater]

Well, I tried cleaning my diode window, just ended up with another spot. Today I turned it on to find the origional spot burned into the window so I emailed Jordan to see if he would decan it for a fee. The reply I got back said he would do it for free! That's service! I remember seeing a thread where Jordan replaced a diode when it was the buyers mistake. don't see that kinda service much anymore. Thanks Jordan
-Danny

 

[Lifetime17]

Hi, if all those cleaning methods don't work , see if DTR decan it . i have many decaned diodes in host and if you don't run them to hard they last. you just have to be careful about dirt and dust when you do a build. And you just might get a few more MW out of it. ESD would be a plus to..

rich

 

[VirtueViolater]

Hi, if all those cleaning methods don't work , see if DTR decan it . i have many decaned diodes in host and if you don't run them to hard they last. you just have to be careful about dirt and dust when you do a build. And you just might get a few more MW out of it. ESD would be a plus to..

rich

How does it help esd?

 

[Isaac Clarke]

Electro Static Discharge which could mean instant death for the diode...i killed diodes when i first started.

 

[VirtueViolater]

Electro Static Discharge which could mean instant death for the diode...i killed diodes when i first started.

I know what esd is Isaac, I want to know how decanning helps esd

 

[Lifetime17]

Hi VV,
ESD is a practice to avoid killing a driver or diode when you build. It has nothing to do with decanning a diode window. Just with decanned diodes you have to be very care full in a build once the lens is on don't mess with it taking it of and on leave it be and don't run them to hard ..

@ Isaac,
Thank you for explaining the ESD to VV my brother..

Rich

 

[VirtueViolater]

Hi Rich, above, you said " you may get a few more mw's and esd will be a plus" I was just wandering how it helps esd to decan a diode

 

[Lifetime17]

HI VV,
Like i said and as Isaac ESD is a precautionary measure you take with all your builds , not just with a de caned diode. That goes for all your builds with or without cans. one little static spark could possibly cost you a diode. As for the few more mW's a de caned diode will put out a little more sometimes than a canned diode , i have noticed this a few times unless i got a really efficient diode. As with all decanned diodes use exstra caution playing with the building process..

Rich

 

[Benm]

I suppose the can actually does help a bit with ESD protection, in the sense that the chance of a spark jumping from your hand to the can is reasonably high. If the unit survives this depends on the rest of the electronics, but it's quite possible.

If a spark jumps straight onto the chip the chances aren't that good i suppose, though that would only happen if it was not in a metal module and not behind a lens.

A big downside of decanning is that the laser diodes becomes very sensitive to dust: when the window is there a speck of dust may cake on and distort the output pattern. When a speck of dust bakes on the actual laser diode output facet it will probably be instant death: it will heat up so much that the facet cracks and stops working as a mirror.

 

[Lifetime17]

Hi B,
As soon as you touch the diode ESD can damage it it doesn't matter were the spark hits. The static will travel through the diode and affect it. And as of decanning the diode sure it's sensitive to debris so you have a clean work area and be care full thats all. And yes the diode won't last 10,000 hrs. But it will last 7000 hrs if taken care of. So basically it will last longer than you can guess..I have many decanned builds and all are still running strong for many hrs of use..

Rich