High-power IR LED touts SMT packaging

By leveraging OSRAM's proprietary thin-film scalable technology in combination with its high-power Golden DRAGON LED package, the company achieved a breakthrough in IR emission, resulting in the company's first high-power IR Golden Dragon, 850-nm IR LED emitter in a surface-mount package.

OSRAM said the thin-film technology offers increased optical output, better optical coupling, lower forward voltages and improved thermal performance compared with previous chip construction. What is key about OSRAM's thin-film technology is that it allows light to emit from the top surface of the die with a built-in reflector, which results in an extremely bright output.

In addition, the technology can be scaled to produce large chip sizes without impacting efficacy. With the introduction of this latest device, the company said it has achieved an output power as high as 500 mW for a 1-A drive current with a 1-mm² thin-film die operating at 850 nm.

Key specifications for the high-power IR LED include a forward current of 1 A, a surge current of 2 A, and a forward voltage of 1.8 V. It also provides a low thermal resistance of 15 K/W, and a radiant intensity of 170 mW/sr (milliwatts per steradian). The operating temperature is -40°C to 100°C. Switching time is 10 ns. The viewing angle is 120 degrees. These device is RoHS compliant and lead free.

Because the Golden DRAGON package is designed for high-power output in a small footprint, said the company, designers can illuminate broad areas, which eliminates the need for complex optics, and redesign existing systems with fewer parts to reduce cost and system space.

OSRAM will showcase the IR LEDs at Photonics West, January 21-26 at the San Jose Convention Center in booth #1345.

The high-power IR LED is priced at $5.00 in quantities of 1,000. Production quantities will be available in March 2006.

OSRAM Opto Semiconductors, 1-888-446-7726, www.osram-os.com