Osram has released its latest IR LED, Synios SFH 4776, which can help users to check the ingredients, freshness and even calories of their meals before eating them.

(Image: Osram)

By applying the technology of near- infrared spectroscopy, Osram Opto Semiconductors has introduced broadband infrared LEDs (IREDs) with a wide wavelength range to measure the water, fat, sugar and protein contents of food. This technology uses the characteristic absorption behavior of certain molecular compounds. If a defined light spectrum is directed at a sample it is possible to determine the presence and quantity of certain ingredients from the wavelength distribution of the reflected light.

Osram presented the Oslon Black Flat SFH 4735 at the end of 2016 which opened up the technology to the consumer sector. Until now, Osram is the only producer who offers such products for consumers. The new Synios package of the SFH 4776 is only 0.6 mm high and has a particularly space-saving footprint of 2.75 mm x 2.0 mm, making it ideal for use in smartphones.

(Image: Osram)

Like the SFH 4735, SFH 4776 is based on a highly efficient, blue-emitting ThinGaN chip in UX:3 technology. A phosphor converter specially developed for spectroscopy converts blue light into infrared light with a broad wavelength range of 650 nm to 1050 nm. By making improvements to the phosphor material, Osram Opto Semiconductors has increased the intensity of the light by 60 percent compared with the predecessor component. With the increased light intensity, the signal-to-noise ratio can be improved, which helps the users to simplify the analysis of food and medicines.

With the development of SFH 4776, Osram puts focus on the latest trends such as technology-based fitness monitoring and the gradual spread of electronic aids in the health sector.