LED chip and component maker SemiLEDs Corp of Hsinchu Science Park, Taiwan, has released two new UV-LED product families, the 10-watt high-power N9 series, and the 0.17 to 0.50-watt mid-power P50N series. Based on SemiLEDs’ patented vertical LED structure, both product families are designed for industrial applications, such as printing, coating and curing, and specialty applications including signage and medical or cosmetic uses.
The N9 series, housed on a 9mm x 9mm ceramic package, is offered in wavelengths from 385 to 420nm in 5nm bins. Drive currents up to 1000mA delivers typical output of 5000mW of optical power at the nominal 350mA drive rate at 30V. The lambertian output distribution is compatible with secondary optics to allow precise control of the high-intensity UV light.
Compared to the standard 1000-4000 hour life of the incumbent UV lamp technologies, vertical UV-LED systems support lifetimes of up to 50,000 hours under optimal thermal management conditions. In addition, with instant on/off capabilities and a compact point-source that is compatible with a wide variety of optics, the SemiLEDs N9 UV-LED allows solution integrators to eliminate maintenance-intensive components such as mechanical shutters or focusing windows, says the firm. High-output UV sources are commonly used in semiconductor and electronic photo-resistive etching or processing, as well as high-throughput printing systems, and larger scale industrial bonding or curing applications, often eliminating the need for toxic solvents.
The mid-power P50N UV-LED series consists of a complete product family available for 0.17, 0.34 and 0.50-watt drive options, delivering up to 140mW of output, for wavelengths from 385 to 420nm in 5nm bins. The 5mm x 5mm package is suited for integration into compact arrays or for high-reliability backlight elements in UV-driven signage. The wide selection of output combinations simplifies the system integrator's task by allowing a common design platform for portable device applications, such as cosmetics or health care, where differing performance profiles are needed to address separate curing or treatment functions.
"SemiLEDs has consistently led the way in development of cost effective UV-LED solutions that efficiently provide a wide range of output options, delivering the UV light where and how it is needed," said Ilkan Cokgor, executive VP of sales & marketing. "With the addition of the high-power N9, and mid-power P50N series, SemiLEDs has really opened up that area of the industrial market where both very high-output single UV-LED sources, and cost-effective UV-LED arrays, have not previously been available. Given the key advantages that UV-LEDs bring to the market, including increased efficiency and lifetime, reduction of hazardous substances, and the virtual elimination of heat in the beam, we expect this advanced technology will displace the inefficient, short-lifetime incumbents over the next few years."
