TDK markets a lead-free optical sensor for visible light that incorporates

TDK Corporation has announced today that it has developed an optical sensor for visible light that incorporates the use of an amorphous silicon semiconductor.

The product is highly receptive to visible light but not receptive to infrared light. Since it is not receptive to infrared light, an accurate illumination measurement can be taken without the use of an infrared filter. Phototransistors and photodiodes that use crystal-silicon semiconductors require this filtering. The product is designed for surface mounting and can be used in lead-free reflow soldering. This concept of an optical sensor using an amorphous silicon semiconductor is the first in the world.* The product is lead-free. TDK will launch sales of the BCS3216G1 with a package dimension of 3.2mm × 1.6mm × 0.8mm and the BCS5030G1 with a package dimension of 5.0mm × 3.0mm × 0.8mm in February 2002.

Recently, due to the shift to color LCDs in cellular phones and PDAs, the power consumption of the lighting within the LCD has increased. Therefore, the need to decrease power consumption without losing LCD quality has become a major topic. Controlling the level of LCD lighting and key switch lighting by sensing the surrounding light has started to become a method for decreasing power consumption.

TDK's BCS3216G1 and BCS5030G1 were designed to fit this purpose and also were developed as lead-free products.

For more information, see .

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TDK markets a lead-free optical sensor for visible light that incorporates