IR LED Raises Power Bar

The latest Golden DRAGON makes its mark as the first available infrared (IR) high-power LED in a surface-mount package. Optimized for charge-coupled device and CMOS-camera applications, the device is positioned for use in automotive night-vision systems and security-system illumination. An 850-nm component, it emits light from the top of the die with a built-in reflector to offer bright output. A thin-film architecture allows chip size to be increased without compromising performance. Of note, the company's thin-film chip technology claims another industry first: providing increased optical output, better optical coupling, lower forward voltages, and improved thermal performance when compared to conventional LED chip technologies. Price is $5 each/1,000. OSRAM OPTO SEMICONDUCTORS, San Jose, CA. (888) 446-7726