News: LEDs
17 July 2020
ROHM launches blue-green LEDs for Color Universal Design applications
ROHM Semiconductor of Kyoto, Japan has launched the 1608-size SMLD12E2N1W and SMLD12E3N1W high-accuracy blue-green chip LEDs, which support the adoption of Color Universal Design (CUD) in a variety of applications such as fire alarm system indicator lights, industrial equipment warning lamps and public transportation information displays.
Over 200 million people with P-type and D-type color deficiencies around the world find it difficult to distinguish between red and green, possibly resulting in information being inaccurately conveyed – depending on the combination of colors used. Furthermore, since color vision can vary from person to person, it is difficult to perceive how different people see certain colors, which can be very inconvenient and also problematic as other people may not notice this deficiency.
As a result, there is a growing need to implement Color Universal Design that takes into account the various types of color vision in order to deliver information accurately to as many people as possible.
While there are a variety of devices that transmit information using red and green colors, adopting blue-green and orange or yellow will make it easier for people with P-type or D-type color deficiency and difficulty to distinguish red and green colors. As such, the color scheme is important for conveying information using LEDs.
ROHM has hence developed blue-green chip LEDs with special wavelengths, suitable for implementing Color Universal Design in a wide range of devices, utilizing a vertically integrated production system from the wafer fabrication stage.
The SMLD12E2N1W and SMLD12E3N1W are the first 1608-size LEDs to be certified by the Japanese non-profit Color Universal Design Organization (CUDO). By acquiring CUD certification for the SMLD12E2N1W and SMLD12E3N1W blue-green LEDs, it is possible for people with various types of color vision and sensitivities to accurately identify color patterns that include the use of ROHM’s blue LED (SMLD12BN1WT86, λD: 470nm) and warm color LEDs (SML-D15YW, λD: 590nm; SML-D15DW, λD: 605nm) – making them suitable for Color Universal Design applications.
In addition, adopting a new resin has allowed ROHM to significantly extend LED lifetime (by 20-fold) while reducing the degradation of light intensity compared with conventional epoxy resins and improving the mold strength (by 25-fold) compared with the silicone resins while providing superior reliability. The firm also offers AEC-Q102-qualified products that ensure worry-free use in automotive systems and industrial equipment demanding extreme reliability.
ROHM aims to continue to strengthen its lineup by developing high-reliability LEDs that deliver greater convenience and safety.
