Hi everyone,
I would like to build a scanning microscope with DVD pick-up head. Can anyone sell an assembled PCB with the optical pick up? Or any parts of it. I would like to test a few things urgently, while in the mean time I can focus on developing.
You can contact Chris (info@mpro-gmbh.de). He may have what you need.
I am working on the DVD laser scanner and I am getting issues with getting any sort of image from the PHR-803T laser head. All I am getting is a white screen, when using a coin as the object to scan. I see the dvd head move when I do change the pot and laser intensity, it is just the image which is white. What can my issue be? I have only connected one of the DVD heads as it is not clear which of the wires the second one needs to be connected up to on the DVD head side.
A single DVD head by itself can only move in one lateral direction (letâs say, the x-axis), so you need necessarily a second DVD head with the coils (T+,T-) of the objective lens hooked up for the y-axis. Or use some alternative method to move the sample in the y-direction.
Yes I do understand I would need the second DVD head to move the sample in the y direction. But this isnât my problem as I am not getting the correct image which I am scanning. Do you know which connection should the solder jumper be on? Any other advice to get a good image as required?
Hard to say from distance. A good start is to scan in the z-direction in order to check the focus by inspecting the RF and focus error curve, given that you have a reflective surface at hand.
I suppose you are using the software from the github? (I am using similar electronics to the one of gaudiâs LSCM but with different firmware, so I cannot opine on that. Yet, others might be able to help you.)
Yeah I have been scanning in the z direction and not sure how to check the focus by inspecting the RF and focus error curve. I am using all of the firmware and software from github from GaudiLabs. Which firmware/software do you use?
I will look into the focus error curve.
Hi. Happy to see some discussion on the DVD laser hack here. It takes some care and understanding of the control and amplifier circuit to get this up and running. As @ldehlwes said you can not get an image with just one axes. Check if you are getting signal from the sensor by focusing on a reflective object with the laser on.
I will implement the second DVD head. I was wondering if you had any of the CAD files for the holder of the DVD heads? Wouldnât my image be exactly the same for each row if I am only using one DVD head?
I do think I am getting signal from the sensor as I do now get like a scattered yellow/redish dot on the screen. I have tried getting a DVD to find the ridges, but I wasnât exactly. I was wondering if the scanner isnât exactly 90 degrees if I would get any image.
You can also use a speaker instead of a second âOPUâ.
The advantage is carrying a heavier sample
Like the image below
Hello Prof. Hwu! I found this topic very interesting and helpful. I am starting a new project involving 3d printing aiming at producing microfluidic channels using an OPU. In Argentina the KES-400 is readily available, but the PHR-803T which Iâve seen some people have used extensively is not. Can anyoane share some info on the PS3 OPU model KES-400? Pinout would be gratly appreciated 
All the best!
You can check out my review paper âHacking CD/DVD/Bluray for biosensingâ. The supplementary material has KES4XX series driver circuit.
Thank you so much for your reply!
I had already seen that document, but I noticed that the model mentioned was KEM instead of KES. I am not familiar with part nomenclature and since those model are quite different at least from the outside since one has a single multiwavelength objective while the other has dual objectives, I thought that a controller unit for either wouldnât be suitable for the other.
Am I wrong?
The difference between KEM and KES is interesting. KEM names complete optical drive including sled and spindle motor. KES names only the OPU.
Posting a little update of images obtained using the Sanyo SF-HD65.
I now am using an STM32L432KC Nucleo Evaluation Board. The 2 integrated DAC-Channels are used for the Focus and the X-Axis. USB 1.1 is used for data transmission. So far, the speed is limited by the performance of the integrated ADC: Currently, I succeed to collect 5000 datapoints per second, corresponding to a transmission bitrate of around 400 kbps.
I am still struggling a bit with the noise level on the ADC. Someday I will hopefully post the schematics, then I would be happy about a collaboration in order to optimize the circuitry, as I am an electronics layman. xD
See below a series of 1000x1000 images of a CD-R as the focal position is varied.
Really beautiful work! Congratulations!
Dear all,
Iâm a researcher studying physics, and I was intrigued by this project and decided to make AFM during some recess. I chose KSS-213C OPU for a test as it seems to have simplest electronics 
I havenât accessed any signals yet, but decided to explode it for a better view, only to find the PDIC which looks like it was made incorrectly. Below is the picture of PDIC, you can see small device wire bonded to peripheral electrodes.
Great thread, I been meaning to start this project ever since I heard about the lego nano. It seems like there are so many facets to this project that I am just realizing. I am in nyc and I am looking to ramp up my efforts with this project. I have already gotten a few OPUs but havenât had too much luck with the repair manuals . At this point, I can turn on the dvd laser with a ribbon cable pin tester and I want to get tackle getting a signal from the detector next, any suggestions?
Hey, I was wondering, where are you guys buying the phr 803t? I have bought some from zed labs and it doesnât appear to work.
I havenât been able to find them either. Zed Labs is in the UK so maybe theyâre having difficulties due to Brexit.
