aligning lasers in CD equipment

[windozeuser]

How do you do what some people refer to as "aligning lasers" in CD equipment. Does it involve physical adjustment of the laser, or is it the output power and wavelength of the laser? Any help would be appreciated

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

How do you do what some people refer to as "aligning lasers" in CD equipment. Does it involve physical adjustment of the laser, or is it the output power and wavelength of the laser? Any help would be appreciated

It's almost totally obslete now, anything remotely 'modern' (15 years+) will have very few, if any, adjustments.

REALLY old lasers required their power adjusting, and you require an expensive laser power meter to do so, bearing in mind a tiny over adjustment will blow the laser diode.

'Not quite so old' lasers have the power level preset, and this shouldn't be touched, but the older ones have tracking and focus adjustments.

Usually you can just pop a new laser in and it works fine with no changes.

 

[windozeuser]

Thanks Nigel