Abstract: The universally-applicable circuit arrangement of the invention makes possible an adjustment procedure for holding emitted optical power of a laser constant independent of temperature and aging. This circuit arrangement may be carried out as a three-stage cascade circuit supplied with operating voltages greater than 5 V. In accordance with the purpose of the invention, a circuit arrangement is provided which is universally applicable in a temperature range T=-40.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. for commercially available lasers and can be supplied by a standard 5 V source. In order to accomplish this as per the invention, differential amplifiers acting as current switches are arranged in a first cascade stage and the current sources feeding the differential amplifiers arranged in a second cascade stage. A data signal (D) serving to control the modulating current (I.sub.mod) is logically combined with a pilot signal (P) serving to control the pilot currents (I.sub.P1, I.sub.P2) in at least one cascade stage.

Abstract: A driver circuit for a laser includes a first differential amplifier with a first controlled current source, and at least one second differential amplifier with an associated second controlled current source. The at least one second differential amplifier is connected in parallel with the first differential amplifier so that the laser is a common load of the first and the at least one second differential amplifiers. A control circuit controls the current sources based on an external control voltage.