Opto-Electronics: PicoLED™

ROHM has recently completed development of an ultra-compact LED featuring both the smallest volume and area in the world. The SML-P12 series (PicoLED™) is ideally suited for devices requiring thin, compact components, such as mobile phone keypads, small dot-matrix units, and compact seven-segment display devices.

The trend for electronic equipment is towards greater miniaturization. In the areas of mobile phone (keypad), seven-segment display, and compact dot matrix illumination the industry standard product has been compact chip LEDs in the 1608 size (1.6mm × 0.8mm) - the smallest available until now. However, utilizing original high luminosity device and ultra-precise processing technologies has enabled ROHM to develop the SML-P12 series (PicoLED™) of ultra-compact, ultra-thin chip LEDs (t=0.2mm) in a full range of colors - previously thought impossible due to the significant loss in luminosity with traditional LEDs. The new units feature the same level of brightness as conventional chip LEDs, but in a package size 53% smaller in area and with 74% less volume than standard 1608-sized products. This makes them ideal for use in high density applications with narrow spaces, contributing to greater set miniaturization. The new LEDs can also be used to create compact, full-color high-density matrices (1.5mm pitch) that can be used in car audio displays or to produce seven-segment displays with a character height of 0.2 inches (an industry first), broadening the possibilities of numerical display applications.

A full lineup is available in a variety of colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and white, and all of the light-emitting elements are of the high-reliability four-element (InGaAlP) or high-luminosity (InGaN) type, ensuring continuous, long-term, reliable operation.

Applications:

• Mobile phone key pads
• Digital cameras
• High density dot matrix displays

• Compact seven-segment display devices
• Handheld gaming devices

• Other compact, low profile applications

close

ROHM has developed the series of ultra-compact 3-color LEDs for customers seeking to minimize size and energy consumption while wanting to differentiate their products in an industry increasingly focused on the visual appearance rather than functionality. Two package configurations are available: the industry's smallest, thinnest top view type (4-pin: 1.0×1.0×0.2mm, 6-pin: 1.5×1.0×0.2mm) and the thinnest side view type in the industry 0.5mm thick).

PicoLED™-RGB LEDs provide the ideal solution for sets requiring full-color capability in the smallest form factor possible such as color indicator displays in mobile phones, illumination lighting for handheld gaming devices, and compact, full-color dot matrix displays.

Sample shipments will begin in July 2007 (sample price: US$1.2 ), with mass production scheduled to begin in October 2007.

Applications:

• Mobile phone key pads
• Digital cameras
• High density dot matrix displays

• Compact seven-segment display devices
• Handheld gaming devices

• Other compact, low profile applications

Main features of PicoLED™ RGB :

1. Two package types offered
   Top view types
   SMLP34 series (4-pin, 1.0×1.0×0.2mm) ·the industry's smallest, thinnest* RGB LEDs
   SMLP36 series (6-pin, 1.5×1.0×0.2mm)
   Side view type
   SML03 series (2.7×0.95×0.5mm) ·the thinnest in the industry
2. RGB 3-color emission for full-color display capability

* Based on a June 2007 ROHM study
Note: PicoLED™ is a registered (pending) trademark of ROHM Electronics.

close

ROHM’s PicoLED™-mini was developed in response to the progression of miniaturizing electronic devices which demand smaller components. At 0.6mm×0.3mm×0.2mm, surface area is reduced by 70% over the original 1006（0402）-sized PicoLED™ (1.0×0.6×0.2mm), making it the smallest LED in the industry to date. The full-color lineup (red x 2, orange, yellow, green, yellowish green, blue, and white) and ultra-compact, thin size ensure compatibility with virtually any set– even those previously unable to incorporate LEDs due to size restrictions.

All of ROHM’s LEDs feature 4-element construction (AlGaInP) which prevents brightness degradation as well as ensure reliable, long-term use.

Applications:

• Mobile phone key pads
• Digital cameras
• High density dot matrix displays

• Compact seven-segment display devices
• Handheld gaming devices

• Other compact, low profile applications

Features:

PicoLED™-mini:

• Ultra-thin, ultra-compact package: 0.6mm×0.3mm, t=0.2.
• Ideal for use as injector lamps or matrix displays in small portable devices and sets with narrow spaces.
• High-brightness elements available in a variety of colors: red, orange, yellow, green, yellowish green, blue and white.

About ROHM:

close

ROHM’s PicoLED™-eco (SML-P11 series) ultra-compact LEDs feature high brightness with lower power consumption. Patented technology results in twice the brightness as conventional products in the low 1mA current region. Energy consumption is approximately 50% less at the same brightness and its ultra-compact thin size (1.0mmx0.6mm, t=0.2mm) is 53% and 74% smaller in area and volume, respectively, than the conventional 0603 size.

Available in a range of colors (red, orange, yellow, green), their low power consumption makes them ideal for compact portable, battery driven devices as well as small, thin, low-energy products such as 1.5mm pitch high-density dot matrices and 0.2-inch font height seven-segment light sources, which were previously impossible to develop.

Applications:

• Mobile phone key pads
• Digital cameras
• High density dot matrix displays

• Compact seven-segment display devices
• Handheld gaming devices

• Other compact, low profile applications

Features:

PicoLED™-eco:

• Thin, ultra-compact size: 1.0mm×0.6mm, t=0.2mm 
• High 1mA brightness- approximately twice as bright as conventional products
• Reduces energy consumption in compact portable devices, increasing battery life
• Available in a range of colors: red, orange, yellow and green

close