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The infrared light emitting diode, often abbreviated IR LED (from Infrared Light Emitting Diode), is an inconspicuous electronic component that plays a significant role in many aspects of modern technology and everyday life.
Although infrared radiation is invisible to the human eye, its applications are extremely diverse – you’ll find it in both simple home appliances, such as TV remote controls, and in sophisticated communication systems.
Read what an infrared diode specifically is, how it works and where it is most often used.
How were infrared LEDs created?
Well known today infrared diode, which is a variant of the light-emitting diode (LED), evolved from basic research on semiconductors and their unique ability to emit light when exposed to an electric current.
Its origins date back to the 1950s.
In the 1950s, when scientists discovered that certain semiconductor materials could emit infrared radiation when current flowed through them.
The first practical infrared diode was developed in the early 1960s.
by a research team at Texas Instruments laboratories led by Robert Biard and Gary Pittman.
Their discovery was the result of experiments with gallium arsenide (GaAs), a semiconductor material that emits light in the infrared range under the influence of electron and hole recombination phenomena.
This breakthrough discovery paved the way for a wide range of infrared diode applications in electronics, telecommunications, medicine and many other fields.
What is an infrared diode and how does it work?
Infrared diode is a semiconductor electronic component that emits light in the infrared range.
This is the part of the electromagnetic spectrum that is invisible to the human eye and has wavelengths longer than visible red light.
An infrared diode works on a similar principle to a regular LED, but is designed to generate radiation in the infrared range.
It consists of a p-n junction of semiconductors that, when properly polarized, allows current to flow in one direction and generates photons as charge carriers recombine.
Where are infrared LEDs used?
Infrared diodes are widely used in various fields due to their ability to generate infrared radiation that is invisible to the human eye.
Here are some key areas in which they are used:
- Wireless communication – LEDs are commonly used in remote controls for electronic devices such as televisions, home theater systems, air conditioners, as well as in short-range wireless communication systems such as IrDA.
- Security and surveillance systems – with its ability to operate in total darkness, the infrared LED is a key component in night vision security cameras, enabling monitoring and video recording in limited or no light conditions.
- Detection – Infrared diodes are used in a variety of sensors, such as motion detectors, proximity detectors and smoke detection systems, where they act as a source of infrared radiation, which is received by photodetectors after being reflected from an object.
- Medical and health – infrared diode is used in various medical and therapeutic devices, for example, in phototherapy for skin and muscle treatment, in pulse oximeters for monitoring blood oxygen saturation levels, and in medical thermography devices.
- Industry and science – in spectroscopy, infrared diodes are used as light sources for analyzing the chemical composition of substances.
In addition, they are used in industrial quality control systems, enabling non-contact measurements of temperature or humidity. - Electronic DIY projects – the infrared diode is a popular item among electronics enthusiasts and DIY project developers.
It enables a wide variety of ideas – from simple obstacle detection circuits, to hand-built alarm systems, to more complex devices such as remote-controlled robots.
IR diodes offer a wide range of applications for hobbyists and do-it-yourselfers looking to explore the world of electronics.
What else is worth knowing about the infrared diode?
Infrared diodes are distinguished primarily by the fact that they emit light that is invisible to the human eye.
This feature makes them ideal for applications where the operation of the device should go unnoticed, such as in security systems or motion sensors.
The infrared radiation they emit enables non-invasive monitoring of spaces or objects without disturbing the surroundings with visible light, which is particularly important in places that require discretion or continuous surveillance.
Another important feature of infrared LEDs is their ability to penetrate a variety of materials, such as fabric, plastic and wood.
This property is used in many industrial and technical applications where it is necessary to examine the properties of objects without direct contact or visibility, such as in systems for measuring material thicknesses or sorting objects.
The ability to penetrate opaque materials makes IR diodes extremely useful in complex automation and quality control systems.
In the wireless communications sector, infrared diodes play a key role due to their ability to modulate quickly and transmit data at high speeds.
This feature is used not only in simple devices like TV remote controls, but also in advanced telecommunications systems.
Thanks to their high bandwidth and resistance to electromagnetic interference, infrared diodes enable efficient, stable communication in a wide variety of environmental conditions.
At the same time, they stand out for their low power consumption.
