The PDL 800-D is a new stand-alone driver for the picosecond laser diode heads from 375 to 1550 nm (LDH-Series) as well as for the sub-nanosecond LEDs from 260 to 600 nm (PLS-Series). The laser heads can emit light pulses as short as 70 ps FWHM (50 ps on selection) at repetition rates from single shot up to 80 MHz with peak powers up to 1 Watt. The PDL 800-D features easy-to-use controls for repetition frequency and laser pulse energy. The laser driver module is based on the proven design of the PDL 800-B and fully compatible to all LDH-P laser heads and can in addition drive the latest generation of laser heads, which also allow continuous wave (cw) operation (LDH-D Series). Wavelengths can be changed quickly by simply plugging in a different laser or LED head.

The internal oscillator has two selectable base frequencies: 80 MHz and 1 MHz. Each base frequency can be further reduced by division through 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32. The highest internal repetition frequency that can be derived is therefore 80 MHz, the lowest repetition rate is 31.25 kHz. The laser pulses can also be triggered by an external trigger input so that the PDL 800-D can be synchronized with other instruments over the full frequency range. A sync output allows the PDL 800-D to trigger other components such as TCSPC electronics. The gating inputs allow to disable the laser output on two time scales through an external TTL-signal.

For multiple wavelengths experiments the PDL 808 "Sepia" is recommended, for automated systems the computer controlled multi-channel PDL 828 "Sepia II" is the best choice.

Picosecond pulsed diode laser modules are also available in OEM quantities for system suppliers. These compact, cost-effective diode lasers with fixed parameters (repetition frequency, output power and wavelength) can easily be integrated into complex systems.