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      There are several ESD protection means commonly 
      employed for the purpose of protecting laser diodes. In order to locate 
      the protection means close to the laser diode, these protection means are 
      often embodied within a “head” that may be located remotely from the laser 
      diode driver circuitry. 
      
      This section, "Review of ESD approaches", describes 
      common ESD protection means, and  why they are usually not effective. To 
      continue to the next page in this section, simply click on the green 
      "Simple resistor" text, underneath the amber word "NEXT" (above). 
      
        
        
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            ESD polarity terminology used on this 
            web site 
            
            The term “positive-ESD” is used to 
            mean electrostatic discharge (ESD) whose voltage polarity would tend 
            to forward-bias a laser diode.  “Negative-ESD,” means ESD whose 
            voltage polarity would tend to reverse-bias a laser diode.  | 
           
         
       
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