Thorlabs' LNC31 low-noise laser diode driver is a low-noise benchtop driver, designed to drive high-performance lasers such as Thorlabs' ULN butterfly lasers and other laser diodes that are sensitive to electrical current noise (e.g., our DBR or DFB diodes).
Inspired by the design used in Thorlabs' ULN13TK and ULN15TK turn-key lasers, it combines a low-noise laser current driver with two independent thermoelectric cooler (TEC) controllers in a compact benchtop unit featuring a large, intuitive touchscreen interface. A fanless, passively cooled design helps eliminate mechanical vibrations and minimizes electrical noise, offering cleaner performance than typical active-cooled drivers. For optimal performance in noise-sensitive applications, the LNC31 driver is designed to be used with Thorlabs’ LM14TS active butterfly mount, which provides case temperature stabilization for a reduced noise floor and further enhances optical stability.
Figure 1.1 The LNC31 laser diode driver used with a ULN15PC ultra-low-noise laser diode mounted in a LM14TS active mount.
The LNC31 driver’s laser driver delivers up to 1 A of low-noise current with excellent stability. It supports both cathode-grounded and floating diode configurations and offers both DC- and AC-coupled current modulation, with AC modulation bandwidth up to 20 MHz. One TEC channel also supports external temperature modulation, enabling wavelength tuning via temperature adjustment for laser locking applications.
- Drive Current up to 1 A
- 150 pA/√Hz Typical Drive Current Noise Density
- Dual Channel TEC Drivers Providing up to 3.5 A Current
- 20 MHz AC Current Modulation Frequency Range
- Two Integrated 3.5 A TEC Controllers
- AC Current Modulation up to 20 MHz
- DC Current and Temperature Modulation
- Operation via USB 2.0, RS-232, Ethernet and Touchscreen Front Panel
Applications
- Driving Narrow-Linewidth Lasers
- Low RIN Applications
- Optical Sensing
- Micro-Resonator Pumping
- Neutral Atom Quantum Computing
- Atomic Cooling
- Studying Rydberg States
- Vapor Cell Locking
- Cavity Locking
- Wavemeter Stabilization
| Key Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Item # | LNC31 |
| Laser Diode and Laser Mount Compatibility | Cathode Ground and Floatinga |
| Compatible Thorlabs Mount | LM14TS Active Butterfly Mount |
| Thermistor Input | 10 kΩ NTC Only |
| Drive Current Range | 0 - 1 A |
| Drive Current Noise Density, Typical | 150 pA/√Hzb |
| TEC Current Range | -3.5 to +3.5 A |
| AC Current Modulation Frequency Rangec | 2 kHz to 20 MHz |
| DC Current Modulation Frequency Rangec | DC to 5 MHz |