Got a laser diode ML520G72 with 3 pins and wanna connect it two universal IC
driver with a cathode and an anode output. the diode will be driven in pulsed mode.
how should it be connected? where should the can pin connected?
According to the data sheet, the case pin 3 is not electrically connect to anything. It is probably there to try to get the heat out of the package (as well as mechanical rigidity), so solder it to the ground plane on a PCB.
however, all the pins are connected to a IC driver as instructed but failed to see any light coming out of it.
is there anyway one can check whether the laser is damaged?