A drive circuit includes a GaN FET having a source connected to an anode of an LD and a drain connected to a power source of the LD, a gate drive having an output port connected to a gate of the GaN FET and a negative voltage port connected to the source of the GaN FET to receive an input voltage at a positive voltage port and output the input voltage from the output port in response to a signal with a predetermined level, a capacitor between the positive and negative voltage ports of the gate drive, a diode on a power source line connecting the positive voltage port of the gate drive and a VDD power source for outputting a voltage less than the breakdown voltage at a voltage Vgs of the GaN FET, and a semiconductor switch between the source of the GaN FET and the ground.