Thanks for 466 views on V2 yesterday!

V4 UPDATE: VCSEL-less low-cost alternative added to same Zenodo record.

What changed:

- V2: 240x PLPVY1 940nm VCSELs ~55k TL BOM

- V4: 240x ML101J27 TO-5.6 EELD 650nm 200mW hobby lasers - 30 TL each = 7,200 TL total BOM. Generic 650nm 5.6mm 200mW diodes also work.

- No 940nm diffusion tail issue

- Driver: LFE5U-45F -> UCC27511ADBV R -> AO3400A SOT-23 MOSFET + series resistor, no level shifter needed

- Same: OPA858 TIA, AD9226 12-bit ADC, FDS010 photodiode, IS42S16320 SDRAM, FT232H

Performance: 120 bit-MAC / flash, 25ns optical pulse, 64x64 latent (512x512 image) in 5.8 min (4-step LCM), 2.9 min with 4 boards x 480 lasers.

Files: V4.pdf + V4-Fiyat_Link_Görsel.pdf added to same DOI

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23369898

GitHub: https://github.com/yasarhotmailes/vcsel-photonic-accelerator

V2 files still there (5 files total now). CC BY 4.0

Question for optics folks: For 650nm collimation, f=4-4.5mm aspheric on 100x20x10mm Al bar drilled - any cheap collimator source you recommend for TO-5.6?

Hi everyone!

I have a background in condensed matter physics and am transitioning into photonics for my future PhD. I’m a beginner seeking hands-on experience through computational projects, especially in laser physics, light–matter interaction, and photonic integrated circuits (PICs).

I’m interested in simulations, numerical modelling, and other computational methods. If you have beginner-friendly project ideas and would like to collaborate, please DM me. I’m also open to recommendations for useful tools, resources, or ongoing projects.

Thanks!