lauren@vortex.UUCP (Lauren Weinstein) (06/11/85)
The laser diodes used in CD players (780 nm) are typically rated at "over 5000 hours" use. Those little devils generate a considerable amount of energy from a tiny chip area. As they age, they require more and more current to generate the required amount of light, and circuitry in the player automatically keeps the current high enough to provide this level. Eventually, the diode simply won't emit enough light without so much current that it burns out. This isn't part of some devious plot--it's just the physics of the little beasties. --Lauren--
abh6509@ritcv.UUCP (A. Hudson KA2KHD) (06/19/85)
> The laser diodes used in CD players (780 nm) are typically rated > at "over 5000 hours" use. Those little devils generate a considerable > amount of energy from a tiny chip area. As they age, they require > more and more current to generate the required amount of light, and > circuitry in the player automatically keeps the current high enough > to provide this level. Eventually, the diode simply won't emit > enough light without so much current that it burns out. > > This isn't part of some devious plot--it's just the physics of > the little beasties. > > --Lauren-- can you be more precise about the ion migration, ie half life??