Powering and Controlling a 200mw laser diode module

[alonilk2]

Hello everyone,
I'm working on a project for my college graduation in software engineering, so unfortunately, the electronics field is not my key strength, to say at least.
The challenge I'm facing currently is powering and controlling a laser diode module that a previous team of students that worked on this project have ordered, using a Arduino Uno board.
The exact module we got is this.

I made a search in Google and found only a few projects, and all of them were using a lower power laser modules.

So I ended up here. Is this kind of laser diode can be somehow connected and powered by an arduino uno ? If so, how ? what else should I order and use ? Is the arduino uno is even capable of handling such currents ? (380mA ~ 420mA)

Is there any example that you know that can direct me ?

Thank you all in advance.
Alon

[blh64]

The Uno can not handle that alone. A typical way to power that is to use a MOSFET which the arduino can switch on/off as needed. MOSFETs can handle several amps. You will also need a power supply at the proper voltage (12V???) that can deliver enough current.

If you simply want to turn if on or off, you can use a relay...

[LarryD]

Have used similar lasers in projects.

These 200mW lasers can be very dangerous, fire, eyes etc. !

That said, you need a driver that can supply the required current (~400mA).

Some lasers have built in current limiting.

A constant current source can be used with lasers without built in current limiting.

Google Arduino constant current source.

[DrDiettrich]

@blh64

The Uno can not handle that alone.

Right, a power source and a manual switch is sufficient.

Remains the question: what's the intended purpose of an Arduino in this project?

[Paul_B]

@DrDiettrich

Remains the question: what's the intended purpose of an Arduino in this project?

Basically none.

It's just the "Arduino can be used to solve any problem" meme cropping up again.

In short, it is completely inappropriate to use an Arduino or in fact, any microcontroller to implement a feedback loop to control a voltage or current supply - or in this case, light output. Voltage or current regulators require very fast feedback loops without phase shift in order to be stable; this is an application for linear circuits as using a microcontroller introduces impossible delays.