ROHM Semiconductor today announced mass production technology for Short-Wavelength Infrared (SWIR) devices in the industry’s smallest class 1608-size (1.6mm × >0.8mm) for portable / wearable / hearable devices requiring material detection.
SWIR is characterized by a longer wavelength than near-infrared (NIR), providing greater permeability through different materials while being less susceptible to sunlight, smoke, and other particulate matter. As such, this technology is expected to expand the range of sensing substances such as water/gas and glucose. On the other hand, until now most SWIR devices have been through-hole package types for relatively large applications, such as communication equipment and industrial analyzers. Therefore, there are very few surface mount products available on the market suitable for compact applications.
As SWIR is used to detect the presence of substances and their constituent components by taking advantage of characteristics of water, ice, gases, etc., that absorb specific wavelengths, target applications include light sources for blood oxygen saturation and blood glucose measurement devices in the medical field and measuring the water and sugar content of fruits and vegetables in the food industry. Adoption is also anticipated in sensing applications through OLED panels in portable devices, and wearables devices to add health monitoring and other novel functions.
In response, ROHM has established mass production technology for compact 1608-size surface mount SWIR products (light emitting/receiving) by leveraging manufacturing technology cultivated through the mass production of compound semiconductors, such as visible and near-infrared LEDs. For the light emitting side, a lineup of ten LEDs is planned in varying package shapes (molded/lens) and wavelengths (1050nm to 1550nm). And on the light receiving side, four photodiode models will be offered in different packages (1608-size / 20125-size (2.0mm × >1.25mm)) and photodetector block sizes.
Samples of SWIR products (light emitters/receivers) based on this technology are available now. Going forward, ROHM will pursue new areas for sensing by supporting a wider range of material detection in compact applications.