Ultra-Powered Ultraviolet

Reports of advances in LED technology cross our desks with the regularity of announcements regarding faster, higher-capacity computer chips (although, unfortunately for many readers, we couldn’t actually produce the flame-emitting diode we slipped into September 2001’s Designfax). BivarOpto, the Optoelectronics Division of Bivar Inc, Irvine, CA, has introduced what they describe as the industry’s first extended-life, high-powered ultraviolet LEDs featuring typical radiant flux of 12 mW per chip and a typical stable wavelength of 400 nm.

Solid-state UV emission provides increased energy efficiency and related cost economies, as well as longer life over traditional, bulky, non-solid state UV lighting. Ultraviolet LEDs offer a desirable alternative for many types of portable or battery operated test and detection devices. For example, in the medical field, UV LEDs can be used as light sources for lower wavelength spectrum analyzers. In the security and law enforcement fields, the solid-state UV light can be used over traditional methods to detect counterfeit bills and provide accurate finger print identification. The series is ideally suited for a range of specialty applications including currency validation in vending and change machines, automotive instrumentation, high-pressure hydraulic leak detection systems, security, and test and measurement.

The new UV-400-TO92 Series is housed in a metal-and-glass TO-92 package that eliminates the life-shortening degradation of standard clear epoxy encapsulation. Other performance characteristics include a viewing angle of 30 degrees, an operating temperature range of -25°C to 85°C and a resistance to shock and vibrations not afforded by traditional filament lamps. The series is rated for over 20,000 hours of continuous operation at 30 mA, compared to the typical life expectancy of only 2,000 hours for other commercially available devices. The metal base also acts as an effective heat sink, offering increased forward currents up to 150 mA under 1/10th duty cycle operation. The series can also be specified with multi-chip configurations allowing for compound intensities up to 36 mW per unit and in large cluster arrays of up to 144 units per PCB.

“We have been very gratified,” said Anthony Vilgiate, Bivar vice president strategic business development, “with the initial response from our core customer base and surprised by the wide-ranging potential for this technology. The potential for this technology is growing by leaps and bounds.”

—RM