Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today introduced a high-brightness LED (light-emitting diode) specifically designed to provide the illumination required to operate the automatic focus function of a digital still camera under low-light conditions, and at a range up to 3 meters. With a typical light output of 18 candela (at 20 mA) the Agilent ASMT-FJ10 is the brightest auto-focus LED on the market. With dimensions of 4.80 mm length x 4.80 mm width, it also features the industry’s smallest package footprint.

In the past, cameras used infrared-emitting LEDs as the light source for auto-focusing under low-light conditions because only IR LEDs provided sufficient light output for the application. The use of visible light means that the same auto-focusing sensor is used under both low-light and ordinary conditions, whereas IR requires a separate sensor. Since the orange 612nm LED provides visible illumination, the same device can also be used as a red-eye reduction lamp and serve as an indicator that the camera’s self-timer is operating.

“Agilent’s combination of advanced LED and packaging technologies has enabled us to compete in the very specialized auxiliary flash LED market,” said Cheng Kai Chong, worldwide marketing director for the Optoelectronic Products Division in Agilent’s Semiconductor Products Group. “As a result of our innovation, design engineers can expect system cost savings and better overall DSC performance.”

The Agilent ASMT-FJ10 is a lead-free SMT (surface mount technology) dome lamp using an optimized untinted, nondiffused lens to provide a high luminous intensity with a narrow 8-degree radiation pattern (half-value angle). When installed in a camera without additional collimating optics these LEDs meet the Class 1 eye-safety requirements of IEC/EN 60825-1 (2001) under all conditions of operation and single fault failure.

The ASMT-FJ10 die uses aluminum indium gallium phosphate (AlInGaP) material technology to provide very high luminous efficiency over a wide range of drive currents, up to a maximum of 50 mA. The molded package is compatible with lead-free IR (infrared) soldering processes.

Further information about Agilent’s LED products is available at www.agilent.com/view/led.