Compact Laser Modules with Bare Wire Leads
![](https://www.thorlabs.de/Images/GuideImages/13252_LaserModulesBare_3.jpg)
- 405 nm, 520 nm, 635 nm, or 639 nm Typical Center Wavelength
- Collimated, Circular Output
- Ø11 mm Compact, Electrically Isolated Housing
- Bare Wire Leads for OEM Integration
PL204
635 nm Center Wavelength, 0.9 mW Output Power
Bare Wire Leads
Color at End of Module Corresponds to Laser's Spectral Color
Sample beam profile of the PL204 USB laser module,
measured using a CCD beam profiler at a distance of 5 m.
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![Laser Diode Module](https://www.thorlabs.de/images/TabImages/KAD11NT_PL_Laser_A1-150.jpg)
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PL203 Laser Module Held in a KAD11NT Unthreaded Kinematic Adapter and Mounted into an FMP1 Fixed Optic Mount
![Laser Diode Module](https://www.thorlabs.de/images/TabImages/CPS_Laser_Kinematic_Mounting_Adapter_A3-150.jpg)
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Compact Laser Module Held in an AD11F SM1-Threaded Adapter and Mounted into a KM100T Threaded Kinematic Mount
Webpage Features | |
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Clicking this icon opens a window that contains specifications and mechanical drawings. |
![Laser Diode Module](https://www.thorlabs.de/images/TabImages/PL_Laser_Kinematic_Mounting_Adapter_A1-150.jpg)
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PL203 Laser Module Held in an AD11F SM1-Threaded Adapter and Mounted into a CP44F Quick-Release Cage Plate Within a 30 mm Cage System
Features
- 405 nm, 520 nm, 635 nm, or 639 nm Typical Center Wavelength
- 0.9 mW or 4.5 mW Typical Output Power
- Collimated Output
- Ø11 mm Compact, Electrically Isolated Housing
- Bare Wire Leads for OEM Integration
- Mounting Accessories Available
These compact laser modules feature a typical output power of 0.9 mW (laser safety Class 2) at a 405 nm, 520 nm, or 635 nm typical center wavelength; or 4.5 mW (laser safety Class 3R) at a 405 nm, 520 nm, or 639 nm typical center wavelength. The collimated output has a Ø3 mm round beam profile at 50 mm from the housing. These modules offer single-spatial-mode output in compact, electrically isolated cylindrical housings and are ideal for use as alignment lasers in optical systems. As these diodes are not thermally stabilized, their optical output power may fluctuate slightly during operation.
The modules have unterminated wire leads for integration into OEM or industrial applications. The red wire is the 5 VDC input wire. We recommend powering these lasers with a user-supplied 5 VDC power supply, which must be connected to the wire leads by the user. For compact laser modules with connectors, see our USB-equipped laser modules and phono-jack-equipped laser modules.
Mounting Options
The Ø11 mm housing is compatible with our line of optomechanical components through the use of various mounting adapters, as shown in the images to the right. Depending on the adapter chosen, these laser modules can be directly mounted into either internally SM1-threaded (1.035"-40) components or mechanics with a Ø1" bore. Further details on each adapter and its compatibility with our line of optomechanics can be found below.
Thorlabs also offers a Mini-Series kinematic mount for Ø11 mm laser diode modules (available below). This kinematic mount is among our smallest kinematic mounts available and features 4-40 (M3) taps for mounting onto our Ø6 mm Mini-Series Posts.
Laser Safety and Classification
Safe practices and proper usage of safety equipment should be taken into consideration when operating lasers. The eye is susceptible to injury, even from very low levels of laser light. Thorlabs offers a range of laser safety accessories that can be used to reduce the risk of accidents or injuries. Laser emission in the visible and near infrared spectral ranges has the greatest potential for retinal injury, as the cornea and lens are transparent to those wavelengths, and the lens can focus the laser energy onto the retina.
Safe Practices and Light Safety Accessories
- Laser safety eyewear must be worn whenever working with Class 3 or 4 lasers.
- Regardless of laser class, Thorlabs recommends the use of laser safety eyewear whenever working with laser beams with non-negligible powers, since metallic tools such as screwdrivers can accidentally redirect a beam.
- Laser goggles designed for specific wavelengths should be clearly available near laser setups to protect the wearer from unintentional laser reflections.
- Goggles are marked with the wavelength range over which protection is afforded and the minimum optical density within that range.
- Laser Safety Curtains and Laser Safety Fabric shield other parts of the lab from high energy lasers.
- Blackout Materials can prevent direct or reflected light from leaving the experimental setup area.
- Thorlabs' Enclosure Systems can be used to contain optical setups to isolate or minimize laser hazards.
- A fiber-pigtailed laser should always be turned off before connecting it to or disconnecting it from another fiber, especially when the laser is at power levels above 10 mW.
- All beams should be terminated at the edge of the table, and laboratory doors should be closed whenever a laser is in use.
- Do not place laser beams at eye level.
- Carry out experiments on an optical table such that all laser beams travel horizontally.
- Remove unnecessary reflective items such as reflective jewelry (e.g., rings, watches, etc.) while working near the beam path.
- Be aware that lenses and other optical devices may reflect a portion of the incident beam from the front or rear surface.
- Operate a laser at the minimum power necessary for any operation.
- If possible, reduce the output power of a laser during alignment procedures.
- Use beam shutters and filters to reduce the beam power.
- Post appropriate warning signs or labels near laser setups or rooms.
- Use a laser sign with a lightbox if operating Class 3R or 4 lasers (i.e., lasers requiring the use of a safety interlock).
- Do not use Laser Viewing Cards in place of a proper Beam Trap.
Laser Classification
Lasers are categorized into different classes according to their ability to cause eye and other damage. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a global organization that prepares and publishes international standards for all electrical, electronic, and related technologies. The IEC document 60825-1 outlines the safety of laser products. A description of each class of laser is given below:
Class | Description | Warning Label |
---|---|---|
1 | This class of laser is safe under all conditions of normal use, including use with optical instruments for intrabeam viewing. Lasers in this class do not emit radiation at levels that may cause injury during normal operation, and therefore the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) cannot be exceeded. Class 1 lasers can also include enclosed, high-power lasers where exposure to the radiation is not possible without opening or shutting down the laser. | ![]() |
1M | Class 1M lasers are safe except when used in conjunction with optical components such as telescopes and microscopes. Lasers belonging to this class emit large-diameter or divergent beams, and the MPE cannot normally be exceeded unless focusing or imaging optics are used to narrow the beam. However, if the beam is refocused, the hazard may be increased and the class may be changed accordingly. | ![]() |
2 | Class 2 lasers, which are limited to 1 mW of visible continuous-wave radiation, are safe because the blink reflex will limit the exposure in the eye to 0.25 seconds. This category only applies to visible radiation (400 - 700 nm). | ![]() |
2M | Because of the blink reflex, this class of laser is classified as safe as long as the beam is not viewed through optical instruments. This laser class also applies to larger-diameter or diverging laser beams. | ![]() |
3R | Class 3R lasers produce visible and invisible light that is hazardous under direct and specular-reflection viewing conditions. Eye injuries may occur if you directly view the beam, especially when using optical instruments. Lasers in this class are considered safe as long as they are handled with restricted beam viewing. The MPE can be exceeded with this class of laser; however, this presents a low risk level to injury. Visible, continuous-wave lasers in this class are limited to 5 mW of output power. | ![]() |
3B | Class 3B lasers are hazardous to the eye if exposed directly. Diffuse reflections are usually not harmful, but may be when using higher-power Class 3B lasers. Safe handling of devices in this class includes wearing protective eyewear where direct viewing of the laser beam may occur. Lasers of this class must be equipped with a key switch and a safety interlock; moreover, laser safety signs should be used, such that the laser cannot be used without the safety light turning on. Laser products with power output near the upper range of Class 3B may also cause skin burns. | ![]() |
4 | This class of laser may cause damage to the skin, and also to the eye, even from the viewing of diffuse reflections. These hazards may also apply to indirect or non-specular reflections of the beam, even from apparently matte surfaces. Great care must be taken when handling these lasers. They also represent a fire risk, because they may ignite combustible material. Class 4 lasers must be equipped with a key switch and a safety interlock. | ![]() |
All class 2 lasers (and higher) must display, in addition to the corresponding sign above, this triangular warning sign. | ![]() |
Posted Comments: | |
DaeHee Yi
 (posted 2024-01-31 11:30:47.92) PL206 is very good product.
I want to make my own various wavelength LD.
But, Can you provide me Optical Component Only? or Can you recommend good optical component solution?
thank you
yimidi@daum.net hchow
 (posted 2024-02-05 06:19:28.0) Dear Mr. Yi, I will personally reach out to you to discuss possible solutions. Thank you. hchow
 (posted 2024-02-05 06:19:28.0) Dear Mr. Yi, I will personally reach out to you to discuss possible solutions. Thank you. Timon Dierssen
 (posted 2024-01-23 14:09:46.147) Hallo,
hier fehlt jeglicher Hinweis, dass Maßnahmen zum Schutz vor ESD einzuhalten sind.
BG
Timon hchow
 (posted 2024-01-23 10:05:24.0) Hallo Timon, wir können das intern besprechen. Cruz Méndez
 (posted 2023-07-07 07:35:15.96) The active layer is GaAs or InGaAsP? hchow
 (posted 2023-07-10 04:43:18.0) Dear Mr. Mendez, thank you for your enquiry. I will contact you directly to provide more information. Thank you. user
 (posted 2023-01-16 23:09:57.97) What kind of circularization approach it used? Thank you. hchow
 (posted 2023-01-17 09:33:02.0) Dear user, thank you for your feedback. The laser diodes in the PL series themselves, have a single transverse/spatial mode laser output. The fringes seen on the beam profile on this webpage are caused by the pinhole inside the PL series modules. This pinhole is necessary to circularise the beam. user cheng
 (posted 2023-01-04 01:31:52.797) If I want to modulate the PL204 Laser, is there any way? The beam profile is beautiful, how to ahchieve it? With aspheric lens and a spatial filter? As I know, the L635P5 beam profile is not good. Thank you. hchow
 (posted 2023-01-04 08:41:18.0) Dear Mr. Cheng, thank you for your feedback. We do not recommend our customers to modulate the PL series compact laser modules. The internal circuitry is not designed for any form of pulsing.
With regards to your second question about the L635P5, it is indeed possible to collimate the laser light from the L635P5. We sell the LTN330-A adjustable collimation tube with optics, specially for 5.6 mm TO Can diodes. If instead, you prefer your own optics setup, you can take a look at the collimation tutorial on the following webpage: https://www.thorlabs.us/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=5260. This tutorial teaches you which aspheric lens to pick in order to get a collimated beam out of the laser diode you choose.
A spatial filter is only necessary if you wish to have a clean gaussian beam. If you wish to do so, here's a handy tutorial for you: https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=10768.
Thank you and a happy new year to you. Izaskun Unanue
 (posted 2022-09-14 08:29:52.903) What materials is it made of? wskopalik
 (posted 2022-09-15 05:41:44.0) Thank you very much for your feedback!
The PL204 is RoHS and REACH certified and the housing is made of black anodized aluminum. There are however also other materials used in the electronics, optics, etc.
I will contact you directly so we can provide the relevant information. user
 (posted 2022-09-07 06:13:53.347) I would like to use a Thorlabs PL20x laser for a low cost (hobby) interferometry project. Is this a single frequency laser? dpossin
 (posted 2022-09-09 05:11:31.0) Dear Niels,
Thank you for your inquiry. The PLxx laser family emit single spatial mode laser light. It does not feature single frequency operation. I´m reaching out to you in order to clarify further questions. Don Smith
 (posted 2022-07-08 11:39:55.46) How much current will the PL203/4/6 lasers draw at 5V? Can they run off an Arduino without damaging anything? Thank you. dpossin
 (posted 2022-07-13 05:25:10.0) Dear Don Smith,
Thank you for your feedback. The circuit draws between 70 and 90 mA. We don´t have a graph which displays the exact relationship between voltage and current. In case the Arduino can provide at least 4.9V and 70mA it is suitable to drive the PL203. When you stay below 90mA while operation no damage is expected. katukuni minagawa
 (posted 2020-12-18 15:37:30.503) Hello
What is the material of the lens of PL204? soswald
 (posted 2020-12-18 03:45:43.0) Dear Katukuni,
thank you for your feedback. The lens is an achromatic doublet made from BK7 and SF12 glass. Jim Trice
 (posted 2020-02-14 12:24:36.923) What is the wire gage on the flying leads for the PL203 laser diode module? MKiess
 (posted 2020-02-17 10:18:00.0) This is a response from Michael at Thorlabs. Thank you for your inquiry!
This laser has a two-phase, highflex control cable with a cable diameter of 0.5mm. Yongjin Lee
 (posted 2019-12-26 01:05:06.53) Hi, I'm Yongjin.
I have som question for pl204.
what is VCC wire color? mdiekmann
 (posted 2019-12-30 03:45:13.0) This is a response from Meike at Thorlabs: Thank you for your feedback! The red wire is the + 5 VDC input. Please feel free to contact your local tech support team if you have further questions about this! |
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Item # | PL206 | PL203 | PL204 |
Wavelength (Typical) | 405 nm | 520 nm | 635 nm |
Output Power (Typical) | 0.9 mW | ||
Laser Safety Class | Class 2 | ||
Beam Shapea,b |
Round, Ø3 mm (Typical) at 5 cm | ||
Typical Beam Profiles (Click Icon for Details) |
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Housing Dimensions | Ø11.0 mm x 60.2 mm | ||
Complete Specificationsc | ![]() |
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Alternative USB-Equipped Item # | PL205 | PL201 | PL202 |
Typical Lifetime | 1000 hd |
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Item # | PL256 | PL253 | PL254 |
Wavelength (Typical) | 405 nm | 520 nm | 639 nm |
Output Power (Typical) | 4.5 mW | ||
Laser Safety Class | Class 3R | ||
Beam Shapea,b |
Round, Ø3 mm (Typical) at 5 cm | ||
Typical Beam Profiles (Click Icon for Details) |
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Housing Dimensions | Ø11.0 mm x 60.2 mm | ||
Complete Specificationsc | ![]() |
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Alternative USB-Equipped Item # | PL255 | PL251 | PL252 |
Typical Lifetime | 1000 hd |
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These adapters mount the laser diode housing into SM1 (1.035"-40) lens tubes, 30 mm cage systems, Ø1/2" posts, or Ø1/2" or Ø1" mounts. Please see the application photos in the Overview tab for examples.
The KAD11F and KAD11NT adapters provide ±6° of pitch and yaw adjustment. Two 80 TPI fine adjustment screws on the front plate of the adapter control the pitch and yaw position and can be turned using a 5/64" (2.0 mm) hex key.
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Item # | AD11BA | AD11F | AD11NT | KAD11F | KAD11NT |
Description | Unthreaded Adapter with a 1/2" Outer Diameter | Externally SM1-Threaded Adapter |
Unthreaded Adapter with a 1" Outer Diameter | Externally SM1-Threaded Kinematic Adapter with Pitch and Yaw Adjustment |
Unthreaded Kinematic Adapter with a 1" Outer Diameter and Pitch and Yaw Adjustment |
Diode Module Housing Diameter | 11 mm |
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![Kinematic Mount Laser Diode Module](https://www.thorlabs.de/images/Tabimages/Kinematic_Cylindrical_Mount_Laser_A3-150.jpg)
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PL201 USB Laser Module Mounted in a MK11F Mini-Series Kinematic Mount
- Securely Mount Ø11 mm Laser Diode Modules
- Angular Range: ±4°
- Compact Nominal Footprint: 0.79" x 0.52" (20.0 mm x 13.3 mm)
- Resolution: 13 mrad (0.77°) per Revolution via Two M2.5 x 0.20 Precision Adjusters
- 4-40 (M3) Mounting Holes Allow for Left- or Right-Handed Orientation
Thorlabs' Mini-Series Kinematic Mount for Cylindrical Components is our most compact solution for mounting the Ø11 mm laser diode modules sold above. This two-adjuster kinematic mount features a nominal 0.79" x 0.52" (20.0 mm x 13.2 mm) footprint, which is the same as our Mini-Series kinematic mirror mounts. Cylindrical components are secured at three points using a nylon-tipped locking screw and a double-bored mounting hole. Both the nylon-tipped setscrew and the two M2.5 x 0.20 adjuster screws accept a 0.050" (1.3 mm) hex key (not included).
For ease of adjustment, we recommend using the 0.050" hex key thumbscrews. We also offer a locking collar and spanner wrench for locking the adjuster screws in a desired position or for creating a hard stop.