Appendix F • Laser Pulse
This section provides details on your sensor’s laser diodes, the laser pulse and scan patterns, and certain beam char-
acteristics of the laser pulses.
F.1 The Semiconductor Laser Diode
113
F.2 Laser Patterns
114
F.2.1 Laser Spot Pattern
114
F.2.2 Laser Scan Pattern
114
F.2.3 Beam Divergence
115
F.1 The Semiconductor Laser Diode
The source of each laser pulse in the sensor is a semiconductor laser diode. The laser diode is a series of stacked p-n junc-
tions similar, at least in concept, to that shown in
Figure F-1 below
. When a current is applied across the junction, photons
are produced and routed out one end to form a tightly focused laser beam.
Note: The physics of laser diodes can be found elsewhere on the Internet. Start by searching for
p-n junction
,
laser
diode
, and
principles of semiconductor laser diodes
.
Figure F-1 Laser Diode Concept
Appendix F • Laser Pulse 113
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