6 September 2018

Dowa develops short-wavelength infrared LEDs with record 6.8mW output

© Semiconductor Today Magazine / Juno PublishiPicture: Disco’s DAL7440 KABRA laser saw.

Dowa Holdings Co Ltd subsidiary Dowa Electronic Materials Co Ltd of Tokyo, Japan has developed short-wavelength (1300nm) infrared LED chips with record output power of 6.8mW for a 350μm2 die driven by a direct current of 100mA at room temperature (3.5 times higher than existing products). The firm has started to deliver sample products.

LED-based optical sensors have advantages such as a smaller size, lower power consumption and longer life time. Also, because near-infrared and short-wavelength infrared light with a wavelength range of 800-2000nm is highly penetrative to organisms, the application of short-wavelength LEDs are proceeding in fields such as agricultural and food analysis, medicine and healthcare. In particular, in healthcare (the market for which is set to expand rapidly), LED-based sensors are expected to enable the measurement of blood glucose level without drawing blood.

Dowa says that the new short-wavelength infrared LED chips can balance higher output power and a smaller chip size (which are usually traded off), and that the optical output has been significantly improved (a requirement for sensor applications). Dowa aims to expand these technologies to peak wavelengths of 1450nm and 1650nm, broadening the range.

In the field of gallium-based compound semiconductor, Dowa offers an extensive lineup of products, ranging from materials such as high-purity gallium to wafers, LED chips and some lamp modules. Dowa also has abilities to flexibly accommodate a variety of needs, such as customizing wavelengths. Dowa will focus on enhancing the features of next-generation products and streamlining production to further expand its semiconductor business.

Tags: IR LED

Visit: www.dowa.co.jp