fiber coupled LED

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Your expert for polymer optical fibers (POF) and POF – systems

Fiber coupled LED - moduls and their applications

Applications fiber – coupled LED modules

Fiber coupled LED modules are used either for light transfer to a required location or to attach a fiber adapter that connects with a a fiber connector of choice. Thus, fiber-coupled LED modules are a useful element to connect the electrical and the fiber optic part in systems for sensors, lighting or data transmission.

Requirements fiber coupled LED modules:

High mechanical precision, LED die heat dissipation and, if necessary, ray forming means are necessary to couple LED light to an optical fiber. A fiber coupled LED module solves these requirements by its design.

LED coupled polymer optical fibers, POF:

The ease of handling POF (polymer optical fiber) makes them a preferred means for many practical electro-optical applications. Therefore, at DieMount we focus to POF coupled LED modules.

There is a wide range of various POF and LED dice to be coupled:

POF with diameters between 0.25mm and 3mm and numerical apertures (NA) between 0.3 and 0.64 are used for data transmission, fiber optic sensors, illumination via end lighting and side lighting systems.
LED die sizes may vary between 0.23mm (9mil) and 1mm (40mil) side length depending on requirements to high modulation bandwidth or high fiber coupled power.

Technical aspects POF coupled LED modules:

To achieve an optimized result each couple of LED die and POF fiber type requires an adapted technical design.

In case that the LED die is considerably smaller than the fiber diameter ray formation increases the coupling efficiency.
DieMount applies the parabolic reflector approach as schematically shown on the right. Applications are high speed data communication, special fiber optic sensor systems that require small LED dice for high bandwidth and low power budget systems.

In case that the LED die is equal in size with the fiber diameter butt coupling with high mechanical precision is necessary (schematics right).

In case that the LED die generates high thermal average power and temperatures above 70°C the POF fiber protection against thermal damage is the main challenge. An LED submount made of pure silver perfectly dissipates the heat generated and transfers it to the matallic fiber alignment ferrule. Submount and alignment ferrule may be connected by soldering for optimum heat transfer.

The photos above shows applications of POF coupled module examples from datacom transceivers, illumination in microscopy, sensor system setup and fiber bundle illumination. Especially in life-science, or generally laboratory applications fiber-coupled LED are the perfect solution as an alternative to laser generated light, if fiber coupled LED power is sufficient.

Types of fiber coupled LED modules for various applications:

parabolic micro reflector
9mil to 13mil LED COB
20mA to 50mA max.
0.5mm and 1mm POF pigtail

Datasheed

most power efficient fiber chip coupling setup
great variety of LED dice (IR to UV, no white LED)
applications: data communication, optical fiber sensors

parabolic micro reflector
soldered 20mm fiber alignment ferrule acting as heat sink
up to 13mil LED COB
up to 50mA max.
0.5mm and 1mm POF pigtail

most power efficient fiber chip coupling setup
improved heat transfer from chip via silver submount to copper alignment ferrule
application: optical sensors