Lumileds launches LUXEON IR Family of high-radiant-intensity emitters for imaging applications

LED maker Lumileds of San Jose, CA, USA has launched a family of high-power infrared (IR) emitters designed to address the vast array of rapidly growing IR applications, ranging from facial recognition/iris and gesture scanning to wearable health monitors, machine vision, night-vision cameras and other industrial/biotech applications. The LUXEON IR Family combines high-radiant-intensity imaging with what is claimed to be the industry’s lowest thermal resistance, resulting in optimal solutions for compact system designs.

All emitters are available in wavelengths above the visible spectrum at 850nm and 940nm, each of which has advantages depending on the use. The 850nm emitter is the workhorse for most cameras (including CCTV) because of its high system efficiency. However, a known drawback for all 850nm emitters in the industry is its susceptibility to interference from sunlight and its reddish glow. To address these issues, the Lumileds IR Family also includes a 940nm-wavelength emitter, which is almost invisible and is less sensitive to sunlight interference, making this wavelength suitable for use with ambient light and ‘stealth mode’ systems.

The LUXEON IR Family is built on two platforms: the LUXEON IR Compact Line (which enables IR transmission with very high radiant power density up to 1150mW at 940nm) and the LUXEON IR Domed Line (which uses various beam angles and achieves radiant power up to 1400mW at 940nm for high-punch, long-range applications).

“The LUXEON IR Compact Line addresses markets that require high power density in a small footprint,” says Thierry De Smet, director of product management. The LUXEON IR Compact Line is 1.37mm x 1.90mm and delivers 400mW/mm2, outperforming all competing products, it is claimed.

The LUXEON IR Domed Line is also offered at 850nm and 940nm, but in beam angles of 60°, 90° and 150° in an industry-standard 3.7mm x 3.7mm package. This design enables drop-in upgrades in applications that require high punch, long range and high uniformity, including positioning and depth measurement, biometric identification and industrial automation. Delivering what is claimed to be the industry’s lowest thermal resistance (2.5K/W), the package efficiently transfers heat away from the emitter for greater system reliability and performance. To ease system design, the LUXEON IR Dome line is compatible with an ecosystem of off-the-shelf lenses.

The LUXEON IR Family is rated as Risk Free for eye safety according to the IEC Photobiological Test (IEC/EN 62471 standard). Initial L70 reliability testing has indicated lumen maintenance of over 30,000 hours.