IR LED, or Infrared Light Emitting Diode, is a type of semiconductor device that emits infrared light when an electric current is applied. It has been widely used in various fields, such as remote control, communication, and sensing. In this article, we will introduce the industry of IR LED, including its history, technology, application, and market prospects.

History of IR LED

The history of IR LED can be traced back to the early 20th century. In 1906, a German physicist named Henry Becquerel discovered that certain materials could emit infrared radiation when they were heated. This discovery laid the foundation for the development of IR LED. In the 1960s, with the rapid development of semiconductor technology, IR LED was born. Since then, IR LED technology has been continuously optimized and developed, and its application fields have been expanded.

Technology of IR LED

IR LED is a semiconductor device that emits infrared light. It is usually made of gallium arsenide (GaAs), gallium phosphide (GaP), or indium gallium phosphide (InGaP) as the active layer material. The structure of IR LED mainly includes the p-n junction, the contact layer, and the encapsulation layer. When an electric current is applied, the electrons and holes in the p-n junction recombine, and the energy released is converted into infrared light.

The key parameters of IR LED include wavelength, brightness, and forward voltage. The wavelength of IR LED is generally between 780nm and 3000nm, and it can be divided into near-infrared, mid-infrared, and far-infrared according to the wavelength. The brightness of IR LED is an important indicator of its performance, and it is usually measured in mW or lm. The forward voltage of IR LED is the voltage required to make it emit light, and it is usually between 1.2V and 3V.

Application of IR LED

IR LED has a wide range of applications due to its excellent performance. The main application fields are as follows:

1. Remote Control: IR LED is the core component of infrared remote control. It can be used to transmit signals between the remote control and the electronic equipment, such as TV, air conditioner, and VCD.

2. Communication: IR LED can be used for infrared communication, such as wireless transmission of data between computers and other devices.

3. Sensing: IR LED can be used for temperature sensing, distance measurement, and other applications in the field of sensors.

4. Medical Equipment: IR LED can be used in medical equipment, such as infrared thermal imaging, infrared blood flow measurement, and so on.

5. Industrial Automation: IR LED can be used in industrial automation, such as the detection and positioning of objects, and the control of machinery and equipment.

Market Prospects of IR LED

With the continuous development of technology and the expansion of application fields, the market demand for IR LED is increasing. According to the market research report, the global IR LED market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 10% in the next few years. The main reasons for the rapid development of the IR LED market are as follows:

1. The rapid development of the Internet of Things (IoT): The Internet of Things requires a large number of sensors, and IR LED has excellent sensing performance, which is conducive to the development of the IoT market.

2. The development of intelligent transportation: IR LED can be used in intelligent transportation, such as driverless cars, intelligent traffic control, and so on.

3. The rise of new energy vehicles: IR LED can be used in the new energy vehicle field, such as the remote control of charging stations, and the monitoring of battery status.

In summary, IR LED has a wide range of application prospects and market demand. With the continuous innovation of technology and the expansion of application fields, the future development of IR LED is very promising.

Conclusion

IR LED is an important semiconductor device with excellent performance. It has been widely used in various fields and has a significant impact on the development of the industry. With the continuous optimization of technology and the expansion of application fields, the future development of IR LED will be more promising. We believe that IR LED will play a more important role in the future of the semiconductor industry.