Compact surface-mount NIR LEDs feature industry-leading radiant intensity

ROHM has extended its portfolio of surface-mount NIR LEDs with new compact top-view types. They are optimised for applications such as VR/AR devices, industrial optical sensors, and human detection sensors.

The demand for advanced sensing technologies utilising near-infrared (NIR) has grown in recent years, particularly in VR/AR equipment and biosensing devices. These technologies are utilised in applications such as eye tracking, iris recognition, and blood flow and oxygen saturation measurements that require high accuracy. At the same time, miniaturisation, energy efficiency, and design flexibility are becoming increasingly important. In industrial equipment, NIR LEDs are playing a greater role with the rise of precise printer control and automation systems. In response, the company is expanding customer options by developing a lineup of compact packages and wavelengths that offer greater design flexibility while contributing to higher precision and power savings by accomplishing high radiant intensity.

The new lineup consists of six models in three package configurations, including two ultra-compact (1mm × 0.6mm), ultra-thin (t=0.2mm) products as part of the PICOLED series: SML-P14RW and SML-P14R3W. Also, there are four variants in the industry-standard (1.6mm × 0.8mm) size, featuring a narrow beam circular lens package (CSL0902RT, CSL0902R3T) and flat lens design that emits light over a wide range (CSL1002RT, CSL1002R3T). Each package is offered in two wavelengths: 850nm (860nm for the SML-P14RW) and 940nm, providing customers with various options to satisfy their specific application needs. The 850nm wavelength is ideal for phototransistors and camera sensors, making it suitable for high-sensitivity applications such as eye tracking and object detection in VR/AR. At the same time, the 940nm wavelength is less affected by sunlight and does not appear red when emitting light, making it an ideal choice for motion sensors. It is also widely used in biosensing applications such as pulse oximeters to measure blood flow and oxygen saturation (SpO2).

The light source incorporates an NIR element with an optimised emission layer structure utilising proprietary technology developed through in-house manufacturing expertise. This has enabled the achievement of industry-leading radiant intensity in a compact package, which was previously considered impossible. For example, compared to a standard 1006 size product, the SML-P14RW delivers approx. 1.4 times the radiant intensity at the same current. In other words, the SML-P14RW consumes 30% less power to accomplish the same radiation intensity. This technology enhances sensing accuracy and power savings for the entire system.

Application Examples include:

• VR/AR licenses (eye tracking, gesture recognition)
• Pulse oximeters (blood flow/oxygen saturation measurement)
• Industrial optical sensors (object passage detection, position detection), self-checkout systems (bill/card detection), mobile printers (paper detection)
• Home appliance remote controls (IR data communication), robot vacuum cleaners (floor detection)