OSRAM Opto Semiconductors Showcases Groundbreaking IR LEDs

Jan. 25, 2006
IR LEDs use advanced technology to provide illumination for automotive, security applications

Photonics West Booth #1345 SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 24, 2006--OSRAM Opto Semiconductors Inc., today announced a groundbreaking addition to its Golden DRAGON(TM) family of high-performance, light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The new infrared (IR) Golden DRAGON marks the first available IR, high-power LED in a surface-mount technology (SMT) package. OSRAM will showcase this innovative technology during Photonics West, January 21-26, at the San Jose Convention Center, San Jose, California (Booth #1345).

Optimized for Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) and Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) camera applications, OSRAM's IR Golden DRAGON is ideal for automotive night-vision systems and for security system illumination. "We are especially excited by today's announcement because new advances in IR illumination are making our lives safer," said Ellen Sizemore, North American director, LED and IR Products Group, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors. "Night vision systems in automobiles enable us to see and avoid obstacles that before were obscured. IR illumination for security applications provides increased confidence and well-being. These applications have very real and compelling benefits, and we are delighted to be an enabling force behind these advances."

The company has leveraged its proprietary, thin-film Golden DRAGON package to now offer its 850 nanometer (nm) IR LED emitter. The result is a breakthrough in IR emission technology, as OSRAM's thin-film technology emits light from the top surface of the die with a built-in reflector to offer exceedingly bright output. These features are ideal for illumination applications requiring high intensity levels, compact design and reduced lighting system energy and cost. Thin-film architecture is additionally "scaleable," enabling chip size to be increased without compromising efficacy as with conventional chip design.

OSRAM's Golden DRAGON package is designed for high power output in a small footprint. With such power and available light, designers now can illuminate broad areas, thus eliminating the need for complex optics. Designers will also have the ability to redesign existing systems with fewer parts, which reduces cost and system space, and can provide solutions for new applications in the automotive, security and medical imaging markets.

OSRAM's thin-film chip technology is an "industry first," providing increased optical output, better optical coupling, lower forward voltages and improved thermal performance compared with previous chip construction. Conventional LED chip technologies utilize creative structures with the drawback of side emission losses that can reduce the light output and reduce thermal performance.

OSRAM's thin-film, IR Golden DRAGON combines familiar LED benefits such as long life, small die size and rugged design with a quantum leap in intensity. The Golden DRAGON package is currently produced in the many millions and is found in every sector, including automotive, industrial, communication and consumer.

Pricing and Availability

Production quantities will be available in March 2006 for $5.00 U.S. in 1,000-unit quantities. For further information, product data sheets and additional pricing, please contact your local North American OSRAM office at [email protected] or 1-888-446-7726.

About OSRAM Opto Semiconductors

OSRAM Opto Semiconductors is a wholly owned subsidiary of OSRAM, one of the world's two leading lighting manufacturers. It offers its customers solutions based on semiconductor technology for lighting, sensor and visualization applications. The company operates sites in Regensburg (Germany), San Jose (USA) and Penang (Malaysia). For the fiscal year ending in September 2005, the more than 3,500 employees of OSRAM Opto Semiconductors achieved a sales volume of 452 million euros. For more information, visit www.osram-os.com.

Golden DRAGON is a trademark of OSRAM Opto Semiconductors, Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: OSRAM Opto Semiconductors Inc. Kelly Mizener, 408-456-4193 [email protected] or Greystone Partners Hilary Chalmers, 845-223-1950 [email protected] KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA TRACKINDUSTRY KEYWORD: MANUFACTURING ENERGY AEROSPACE/DEFENSE HARDWARE COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS AUTOMOTIVE TRADESHOW PRODUCTSOURCE: OSRAM Opto Semiconductors Inc.