Surface-mount LEDs withstand reflow soldering.

Housed in ultraminiature 2×1.25×1.1-mm surface-mount packages, the AND4XX LED family withstands the high temperatures of dip or reflow soldering. The series comprises AND4RA red, AND4OA orange, AND4YA yellow, and AND4GA green LEDs, with respective luminous intensities of 40, 60, 60, and 15 mcd. Each requires approximately 20 mA of forward current and emits light across a 1508 viewing angle. Prices range from $0.36 to $0.59 (10,000).

Purdy Electronics Corp, Sunnyvale, CA. (408) 523-8200.

LED circuit-board indicator houses 5V resistor.

A top-view 2-mm quad LED indicator comes with an integral 5V resistor, which saves board space by eliminating the need for a separate resistor. Indicators also come in versions without the resistor, as well as in right-angle packages. Wavelengths rate at 650 nm for red LEDs, 565 nm for green, and 583 nm for yellow. Light output ranges from 0.6 to 5.2 mcd (for red integral-resistor LEDs). Indicators in the 555-5xxx series cost $2.90 (1000).

Dialight Corp, Manasquan, NJ. (908) 223-9400.

Indium LED lamps challenge incandescents.

The DDP TGQ series of LED lamps employs InGaAlP-chip technology capable of producing wide-angle, pure-green light output over a voltage range of 6 to 110V ac/dc or bipolar. At a peak wavelength of 562 nm, the luminous intensity rates at 220 mcd per LED with a viewing angle of 22°. Used as solid-state alternatives to T-31/4 miniature, T-41/2 candelabra, or intermediate-based lamps, DDP TGQ LEDs come as clusters in standard lamp-based packages to provide optimum viewing angle and brightness. A six-LED cluster costs $14.54 (1000).

Data Display Products, El Segundo, CA. (310) 640-0442.

Two-part indicator permits back-mounting of LED.

Comprising a lens and an LED housing with a tulip-shaped body, the SSI-LX690 rear-mount LED panel indicator lets you wire and test the assembly before installing the front panel. Once the leads are soldered to the board and tested, you can insert the lens into the front of the front panel and snap the tulip holder onto the lens from the back of the front panel. The SSI-LX690 works with panel thicknesses of 0.5 to 2.5 mm (0.020 to 0.100 in.) and mounting holes of 8 mm (±0.5 mm) or 0.315 in. (±0.020 in.). Prices range from $0.50 to $2, depending on quantity and LED type.

Lumex Opto/Components Inc, Palatine, IL. (847) 359-2790.

Tiny LEDs suit surface-mount designs.

Right-angle surface-mount LEDs are only 4.2×3.4×3.3 mm to allow high-density placement in critical designs, such as PCMCIA cards. The SML070 series offers clear or diffused LEDs in red (620 nm), yellow (590 nm), and green (570 nm), as well as bicolor versions. With an illumination area of 2×2 mm, the devices carry luminous intensity ratings from 1.2 to 2.3 mcd at a forward current of 2 mA and as high as 26 to 50 mcd at a forward current of 20 mA. Packaged in standard 13-in. reels, the LEDs cost $0.69 (2500).

Ledtronics Inc, Torrance, CA. (310) 534-1505.

Quadrant photodiode has 100-mm² sensing area.

The QD100-5T-COW silicon quadrant photodiode mounts on a plug-in pc board that fits into standard vector pc boards. The positive-intrinsic-negative (PIN) quadrant detectors have a passivation layer that protects the photodiodes, and the wire bonds have an epoxy coating for durability. The device's total sensing area is 100 mm² with a spectral response range of 350 to 1000 nm. Rise time per segment is 25 nsec at 12V. Typical dark current is 2 nA at 12V. The QD100-5T-COW costs $37.50 (<100).

Centronic Inc, Newbury Park, CA. (805) 499-5902.

Photomicrosensor ignores backgrounds.

Equipped with miniature fresnel lenses and angled elements, the EE-SY190/191 photomicrosensor features a focused sensing area that prevents unwanted detection of background surfaces. The sensor detects both white paper and translucent objects, such as overhead transparencies. The sensor has a highly defined convergent sensing range of 7 mm, based on a sensing distance of 4.5 mm ±0.5 mm typ. Top- (EE-SY190) and side-view (EE-SY191) versions cost $7.61 each.

Omron Electronics Inc, Schaumburg, IL. (847) 843-7900.

LEDs emit ultrabright colors.

Ultrabright LEDs in red, green, and yellow are highly visible, even in direct sunlight. You can use the devices for outdoor signs, as well as LCD backlighting. All three colors come in water-clear, tinted-clear, and diffused versions in standard 3-, 5-, and 8-mm sizes. Prices start at $0.10, depending on the color (10,000).

AZ Displays, Aliso Viejo, CA. (714) 831-5000.

Laser diodes work over wide temperature range.

The vendor's 1.3-µm InGaAsP Fabry-Perot laser diodes come in five packages and operate over a temperature range of -40 to +85°C. The HL1326CF/CN delivers output power of 3 mW pulsed or 2 mW continuous wave through an attached single-mode fiber. It also has a photodiode for monitoring the light output. The HL1327CF/CN, which is similar in design, delivers 0.6-mW pulsed or 0.4-mW continuous wave. Diodes come in metal cans with such options as reversed circuitry, a glass window, and an attached single-mode fiber with or without a horizontal- or vertical-mount flange. The HL1326CF/CN and the HL1327CF/CN cost $160 and $85, respectively (50).

Hitachi America Ltd, Semiconductor and IC Division, Brisbane, CA. (800) 285-1601, ext 13.

PIN photodiode works over 320-to-1000-nm spectral range.

Used for detecting low-level light from blue and blue-green laser diodes, the S4753-02 silicon positive-intrinsic-negative (PIN) photodiode has a spectral response range of 320 to 1000 nm with peak sensitivity at 800 nm. Photosensitivity in the blue-laser light region at 425 nm is at least 0.22A/W and typically 0.28A/W. Photosensitivity for blue-green light at 530 nm is at least 0.30A/W and typically 0.38A/W. The device has a cutoff frequency of 1.2 GHz at a relatively low reverse voltage of 5V. The S4753-02 comes in a TO-18 package and costs $33 (1000).

Hamamatsu Corp, Bridgewater, NJ. (908) 231-0960.