ROHM Rolls Out Compact Surface-Mount NIR LEDs with Leading Radiant Intensity for VR/AR and Industrial Sensing

As demand grows for more precise and compact sensing solutions in both consumer and industrial applications, ROHM Semiconductor has expanded its lineup of surface-mount near-infrared (NIR) LEDs. The company’s latest additions include six compact top-view models optimized for applications such as VR/AR devices, biosensors, and industrial automation systems.

Power and Precision in a Smaller Footprint

The use of near-infrared light in devices like VR headsets and pulse oximeters has surged in recent years, driven by applications requiring high sensitivity, including eye tracking, gesture recognition, iris scanning, and SpO2 measurement. ROHM’s latest NIR LEDs aim to meet this growing demand with industry-leading radiant intensity, all within ultra-compact and thin form factors that support design flexibility and reduced power budgets.

The new lineup features six models across three package types:

• Two PICOLEDTM Series variants (SML-P14RW and SML-P14R3W) in an ultra-compact 1.0mm × 0.6mm, 0.2mm-thick form factor

• Four 1.6mm × 0.8mm variants in industry-standard sizes:

  • Circular lens types (CSL0902RT, CSL0902R3T)

  • Flat lens types (CSL1002RT, CSL1002R3T)

Each package is available in two wavelength options—850nm (or 860nm for the SML-P14RW) and 940nm—offering engineers flexibility depending on application sensitivity and ambient lighting conditions. While the 850nm range suits phototransistors and camera sensors for high-precision applications like object detection, the 940nm range is preferred for environments with sunlight interference and is widely used in biosensing and motion detection.

Efficiency Gains with ROHM’s In-House NIR Technology

At the heart of these compact emitters is a proprietary NIR element with an optimized emission layer structure. This in-house innovation allows ROHM to achieve up to 1.4 times the radiant intensity of standard 1006-size products at the same drive current. Alternatively, designers can achieve the same optical performance using 30% less power, making these LEDs ideal for energy-sensitive designs.

The result is not just a reduction in power draw but also a boost in overall system accuracy—critical for medical devices, wearables, and industrial sensors where reliable readings are non-negotiable.

Designed for Versatile Applications

These new NIR LEDs are tailored for a range of modern sensing applications, including:

• VR/AR systems – Eye tracking, gesture recognition

• Medical devices – Pulse oximeters measuring blood flow and oxygen saturation

• Industrial automation – Optical sensors for object passage, position detection

• Retail and home devices – Self-checkout systems, robot vacuums, remote controls, and mobile printers

ROHM also offers compatible NIR-sensitive phototransistors, providing a complete solution for optical sensing systems.

Enabling the Next Generation of Smart Devices

With this expanded NIR LED lineup, ROHM reinforces its commitment to enabling high-accuracy, low-power sensing in compact applications. Whether in next-gen VR headsets or automated industrial machinery, these components are designed to support smarter, more sustainable systems.

As sensing technologies continue to evolve, ROHM plans to further innovate its light source portfolio—aiming to drive performance and efficiency across emerging electronics markets.