SDC-4U diode driver

Available for order

Applications

Power supply for pump diodes of DPSS lasers such as Nd:YAG

Features

Input – 110-240 V AC
Output diode current – up to 400 A, 500 V, 300 us (but 1500 W max)
Pulse width – 50-300 us
Repetition rate – up to 50 Hz
Rise time – < 20-30 us typically
Modifications are possible

Available for order

Downloads: Downloads

sdc-4u-manual-en.pdf (1 MB)

sdc-4u-manual-en.pdf 1 MB Updated August 17, 2026
sdc-4u-step.zip (Zip archive, 38 MB)

sdc-4u-step.zip 38 MB Updated August 17, 2026

File	Size	Updated
sdc-4u-manual-en.pdf	1 MB	August 17, 2026
sdc-4u-step.zip	38 MB	August 17, 2026

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Product Description

The 1500W SDC-4U laser diode driver is a premium family of pulsed drivers engineered specifically to power high-power diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) lasers, including Nd:YAG systems. Built for heavy-duty performance, this module provides a precise 50 to 300 µs pulsed current to efficiently drive pump diodes, delivering up to 1500 W of average power. Standard models support pulse repetition rates reaching 50 Hz, with higher frequencies available upon request to meet advanced application needs.

For maximum operational versatility, the SDC-4U features two reliable synchronization modes:

Internal: Pulse generation is seamlessly managed by the system’s onboard internal clock.
External: Pulses with user-defined widths are triggered with absolute precision by an external synchronization signal.

Advanced pulse control is a hallmark of the RS-232 version of the SDC-4U, which offers the optional capability to directly power and control a Pockels cell driver—making it an ideal solution for generating Q-switched pulses. Furthermore, the driver can transmit output synchronization signals to ancillary equipment. These signals can be set to trigger exactly coincident with the TTL pulse applied to the Pockels cell driver or precisely shifted relative to it.

Engineered for global compatibility, the module features a universal 110-240 V AC wide-range input. Custom configurations, including multiple outputs and specialized modifications, are readily available on request to suit highly specific optical setups.

System management is streamlined through an advanced 10” color touchscreen display on the front panel. This intuitive interface allows operators to easily configure all critical parameters, including output current, buffer voltage, pulse width, and pulse repetition rate. Remote operation and control are fully supported via the default RS-232 interface (RS-485 connectivity is also available upon request).

Designed for straightforward integration into laboratory and industrial environments, the SDC-4U high-power diode drivers feature a standardized 19” rack-mountable chassis, requiring a 4U height clearance and an approximate depth of 500 mm.

Driver Architecture:

sdc-4u

Technical Specifications

INPUT
Voltage	110-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 1 ph
OUTPUT
Regime of operation	pulsed
Maximum buffer voltage (V_max)	model dependent (user selectable up to 500 V), other on request
Maximum output voltage	model dependent (see also How to order?), other on request
Maximum output current (I_max)	model dependent (user selectable up to 400 A), other on request
Output current	10-100 % of I_max adjustable, other on request
Buffer voltage	adjustable in 30 V – V_max range, other on request
Pulse width	50-300 us adjustable (other on request)
Rise time	< 20-30 us typically, slow start adjustable in 0-50 us range
Pulse repetition rate	up to 50 Hz adjustable in standard modifications, other on request
Maximum average output power	1500 W, other on request
CAPACITOR BANK
Capacitance	model dependent (5 mF to 20 mF), other on request
Extension slot	+
RECOMMENDED CABLES
For diode connections	• inductance – < 500 nH • cross-section – 4 mm² • length – < 50 cm (up to 2 m acceptable)
For external capacitor bank connections	• cross-section – 4 mm² • length – < 50 cm
MISCELLANEOUS
Protections	• from overcurrent • from overheating • from incorrect buffer voltage • door interlock connection • quick discharge resistors (4 kOhm)
Cooling	forced-air cooling with built-in fans
Interfaces	• UI – 10” display with touchscreen • RS-232 / RS-485 machine interface
Synchronizations	• 1 pc synchro input • 3 pcs synchro outputs
ENVIRONMENT
Operating temperature	+10 … +40 °C
Storage temperature	-20 … +60 °C
Humidity	0 … 90%, non-condensing
OTHER
Size	19” rack mountable, 4U height, depth around 500 mm
Weight	< 15 kg

Options

Different customizations (e.g. non-standard output currents, non-standard diode voltages, software customizations, Pockels cell driver control) are possible on request.

Embedded versions of the SDC-4U are available under the name SDC-400 with air- or water-cooling options.

Air-cooled SDC-400

air-cooled-sdc-400

Water-cooled SDC-400 (HV modification)

water-cooled-sdc-400-hv

Water-cooled SDC-400 (LV modification)

water-cooled-sdc-400-lv

How To Order

SDC-4U-[XX]-YYYY-[VVVVV], where:

XX denotes the number of output channels, it can be either C1 (single-channel version) or C2 (dual-channel version). By default, C1 version is supplied.
YYYY codes the voltage version of the driver (nominal value, can be 300 V, 350 V, 400 V, 450 V, 500 V, or custom). The maximum output current and internal capacitor bank capacitance are fixed for each voltage version, see details in the table below.
VVVVV code denotes the type of machine interface, it can be either RS232 or RS485. The RS232 version of the SDC-4U optionally can control an external Pockels cell driver. Multiple SDC-4U drivers of the RS485 version can operate in master-slave mode. By default, the RS232 version is supplied.

PARAMETER	VALUE (*)
Model (V_MAX)	300V	350V	400V	450V	500V
Embedded capacitor bank:
Voltage, V	300	350	400	450	500
Capacitance, mF	20	20	13	13	5
Capacitor charging power supply:
Output voltage (buffer voltage), V	30…300	30…350	30…400	30…450	30…500
Maximum power at maximum buffer voltage, W	> 1500 @ V_MAX
Diode driver:
Max. output current, A	400	350	300	250	225
Recommended diode voltage, V (**)	< 265	< 320	< 370	< 420	< 470
Pulse width, us	50…300
Repetition rate	0…50
Output limitations:
Energy limit	I_maxV_maxT_max
Power limit, W	1500
Guaranteed regime	400A-265V- 250us-50Hz	350A-320V- 250us-50Hz	300A-370V- 250us-50Hz	250A-420V- 250us-50Hz	225A-470V- 250us-50Hz

(*) Customizations (e.g. non-standard output currents, non-standard diode voltages and other parameters, software customizations, Pockels cell driver control customizations) are possible on request.
(**) Please note that the output voltage applied to the diodes is several volts lower than the buffer voltage due to voltage drops across internal components and wiring.

EXAMPLES
Model	Description
SDC-4U-300V	Input voltage – 110-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 1 ph Number of output channels – 1 400 A maximum output current 300 V maximum output voltage Embedded capacitor bank capacitance – 20 mF @ 300 V Maximum output power 1500 W @ 300 V RS-232 machine interface
SDC-4U-C1-400V	Input voltage – 110-240VAC, 50/60Hz, 1ph Number of output channels – 1 300 A maximum output current 400 V maximum output voltage Embedded capacitor bank capacitance – 13 mF @ 400 V Maximum output power 1500 W @ 400 V RS-232 machine interface
SDC-4U-500V-RS485	Input voltage – 110-240VAC, 50/60Hz, 1ph Number of output channels – 1 225 A maximum output current 500 V maximum output voltage Embedded capacitor bank capacitance – 5 mF @ 500 V Maximum output power 1500 W @ 500 V RS-485 machine interface

For maximum operational versatility, the SDC-4U features two reliable synchronization modes:

Internal: Pulse generation is seamlessly managed by the system’s onboard internal clock.
External: Pulses with user-defined widths are triggered with absolute precision by an external synchronization signal.

Driver Architecture:

sdc-4u

INPUT
Voltage	110-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 1 ph
OUTPUT
Regime of operation	pulsed
Maximum buffer voltage (V_max)	model dependent (user selectable up to 500 V), other on request
Maximum output voltage	model dependent (see also How to order?), other on request
Maximum output current (I_max)	model dependent (user selectable up to 400 A), other on request
Output current	10-100 % of I_max adjustable, other on request
Buffer voltage	adjustable in 30 V – V_max range, other on request
Pulse width	50-300 us adjustable (other on request)
Rise time	< 20-30 us typically, slow start adjustable in 0-50 us range
Pulse repetition rate	up to 50 Hz adjustable in standard modifications, other on request
Maximum average output power	1500 W, other on request
CAPACITOR BANK
Capacitance	model dependent (5 mF to 20 mF), other on request
Extension slot	+
RECOMMENDED CABLES
For diode connections	• inductance – < 500 nH • cross-section – 4 mm² • length – < 50 cm (up to 2 m acceptable)
For external capacitor bank connections	• cross-section – 4 mm² • length – < 50 cm
MISCELLANEOUS
Protections	• from overcurrent • from overheating • from incorrect buffer voltage • door interlock connection • quick discharge resistors (4 kOhm)
Cooling	forced-air cooling with built-in fans
Interfaces	• UI – 10” display with touchscreen • RS-232 / RS-485 machine interface
Synchronizations	• 1 pc synchro input • 3 pcs synchro outputs
ENVIRONMENT
Operating temperature	+10 … +40 °C
Storage temperature	-20 … +60 °C
Humidity	0 … 90%, non-condensing
OTHER
Size	19” rack mountable, 4U height, depth around 500 mm
Weight	< 15 kg

SDC-4U-[XX]-YYYY-[VVVVV], where:

XX denotes the number of output channels, it can be either C1 (single-channel version) or C2 (dual-channel version). By default, C1 version is supplied.
YYYY codes the voltage version of the driver (nominal value, can be 300 V, 350 V, 400 V, 450 V, 500 V, or custom). The maximum output current and internal capacitor bank capacitance are fixed for each voltage version, see details in the table below.
VVVVV code denotes the type of machine interface, it can be either RS232 or RS485. The RS232 version of the SDC-4U optionally can control an external Pockels cell driver. Multiple SDC-4U drivers of the RS485 version can operate in master-slave mode. By default, the RS232 version is supplied.

PARAMETER	VALUE (*)
Model (V_MAX)	300V	350V	400V	450V	500V
Embedded capacitor bank:
Voltage, V	300	350	400	450	500
Capacitance, mF	20	20	13	13	5
Capacitor charging power supply:
Output voltage (buffer voltage), V	30…300	30…350	30…400	30…450	30…500
Maximum power at maximum buffer voltage, W	> 1500 @ V_MAX
Diode driver:
Max. output current, A	400	350	300	250	225
Recommended diode voltage, V (**)	< 265	< 320	< 370	< 420	< 470
Pulse width, us	50…300
Repetition rate	0…50
Output limitations:
Energy limit	I_maxV_maxT_max
Power limit, W	1500
Guaranteed regime	400A-265V- 250us-50Hz	350A-320V- 250us-50Hz	300A-370V- 250us-50Hz	250A-420V- 250us-50Hz	225A-470V- 250us-50Hz

EXAMPLES
Model	Description
SDC-4U-300V	Input voltage – 110-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 1 ph Number of output channels – 1 400 A maximum output current 300 V maximum output voltage Embedded capacitor bank capacitance – 20 mF @ 300 V Maximum output power 1500 W @ 300 V RS-232 machine interface
SDC-4U-C1-400V	Input voltage – 110-240VAC, 50/60Hz, 1ph Number of output channels – 1 300 A maximum output current 400 V maximum output voltage Embedded capacitor bank capacitance – 13 mF @ 400 V Maximum output power 1500 W @ 400 V RS-232 machine interface
SDC-4U-500V-RS485	Input voltage – 110-240VAC, 50/60Hz, 1ph Number of output channels – 1 225 A maximum output current 500 V maximum output voltage Embedded capacitor bank capacitance – 5 mF @ 500 V Maximum output power 1500 W @ 500 V RS-485 machine interface

Products in this series:

SDC-400 diode driver

SDC-50A Diode Driver

Warranty Policy

Vigitek, Inc. provides a limited warranty on select products we manufacture and sell (for example: diode drivers, capacitor charging power supplies, and controllers). Warranty coverage and duration may vary by product and will be confirmed on your quote, order confirmation, or invoice. For custom/OEM developments or engineering services, warranty terms are governed by the applicable project agreement.

Warranty Coverage

This limited warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service, when the product is installed, operated, and maintained according to Vigitek documentation or written instructions. Warranty coverage begins on the date of shipment or delivery (unless otherwise stated in writing).

Not Covered

Normal wear and tear, cosmetic damage, or consumable parts (if applicable).
Damage caused by misuse, abuse, accidents, improper handling/storage, improper installation, or operation outside published specifications.
Damage caused by electrical issues (incorrect voltage, wiring errors, power surges), environmental conditions beyond the product rating, or inadequate cooling/ventilation.
Failures resulting from unauthorized modifications, firmware changes, tampering, or repair/service performed by anyone not authorized by Vigitek.
Integration issues with third-party components or systems, unless explicitly included in the written scope for a supplied system.
Downtime, lost profits, or other indirect/incidental/consequential damages (to the extent permitted by law).
Labor for removal/reinstallation, on-site service, and shipping/freight unless explicitly stated in writing.

How To Request Warranty Service

Please contact us to obtain a Return Authorization (RA) before sending any product/part back for evaluation.

Email: sales@vigitek.biz
Phone: +1 (203) 829-5756

Include your order/invoice number, product model and serial number (if applicable), a clear description of the issue, operating conditions, and photos/video when possible. We may ask you to perform basic troubleshooting steps to speed up resolution.

Evaluation, Repair, Replacement

If the issue is determined to be a covered warranty claim, Vigitek will, at our option:

Repair the product/part, or
Replace the product/part with the same or a functionally equivalent item (new or refurbished), or
Provide a refund/credit up to the purchase price of the affected item/part.

Repaired or replaced items are covered for the remainder of the original warranty period, unless otherwise required by law.

Returns and Packaging

Products returned for evaluation must be packaged appropriately to prevent transit damage and must display the RA information as instructed. Items returned without prior authorization may be refused. Transit damage is not covered by this warranty.

Additional Terms

Except as expressly stated above, this warranty is provided in lieu of all other warranties, express or implied, including (to the extent permitted by law) implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Some jurisdictions do not allow certain limitations, so parts of this policy may not apply to you.