Osram Opto Semiconductors 1 mm² infrared chip prototype

The 1 mm² infrared chip prototype from Osram Opto Semiconductors has achieved an efficiency of up to 72% at 100 mA using thin-film technology. At 930 mW from an operating current of 1 A, its light output under laboratory conditions is claimed to be 25% higher than that of the chips currently available on the market, which means that future infrared LEDs can be made even more energy-efficient.

The efficiency, known as wall plug efficiency (WPE), indicates the ratio of the radiated power to the electrical input power. It was measured at room temperature at a DC current of up to 1 A. With a wavelength of 850 nm, the chip has been designed specifically for infrared illumination applications.

The prototype 1 mm² infrared chip has a high quantum efficiency that remains around 65% up to 1 A. The 850 nm wavelength of the chip prototype is suitable for infrared illumination, particularly for surveillance tasks and use with CCTV cameras. There are also potential safety applications in the automotive sector, such as pre-crash sensors and illumination sources for night vision systems.

The results of this development work are now being implemented stage by stage. The chip is expected to go into series production by the middle of 2013.