ams OSRAM’s thin-film technology boosts brightness in infrared applications
Cameras, sensors, and AI-powered systems are increasingly taking on tasks once performed exclusively by humans. They recognise faces, track eye movements, monitor vehicle occupants, and guide autonomous machines through complex environments. What all of these applications have in common is their reliance on powerful yet virtually invisible infrared illumination.
As image sensors become more sophisticated and AI algorithms more demanding, expectations for infrared light sources continue to rise. Developers are looking for solutions that combine higher radiant output, greater energy efficiency, and compact form factors without compromising reliability.
This is where ams OSRAM’s new IR:6 thin-film technology comes into play. Compared to the previous chip generation, it delivers up to 35% higher radiant output while improving efficiency by as much as 42%. At the same time, an optimised chip design enhances thermal management, ensuring reliability even under demanding operating conditions.
The IR:6 platform forms the foundation of a comprehensive infrared LED portfolio, ranging from compact Chip LEDs to high-power emitters, such as OSLON Black series, for automotive and industrial applications. Devices are available at 850 nm, 920 nm, and 940 nm, with the new 920 nm wavelength offering optimised sensitivity for many modern image sensors.
Depending on the application, developers can choose from a variety of package types and beam patterns—from focused illumination to wide-angle, highly uniform light distribution.
The new IR:6 technology addresses a broad range of future-oriented applications where infrared illumination has become a key enabling technology. It is available across multiple product families, allowing developers to select the optimum solution for virtually any design.
The portfolio includes compact Chip LEDs and FIREFLY emitters for AR/VR headsets and smart glasses, SIDELED and TOPLED devices for home, building, and factory automation, the OSLON Black IR:6 C-Series for driver and occupant monitoring, as well as high-performance OSLON P1616 and Power TOPLED Lens families for machine vision, security, and industrial imaging systems.
Typical application areas include:
Driver and occupant monitoring systems
Biometric authentication
Machine vision
Factory automation
Robotics
Gesture recognition
Smart home devices
AR/VR headsets and smart glasses
Security and surveillance systems
Medical imaging
