Rohm Co Ltd has developed the SML-L1 and SML-J1 series of side-view and top-view high-output surface-mount LEDs designed to provide autofocus flash functionality and auxiliary lighting in low light conditions for increasingly compact digital still and video cameras.

Both series fill the need for surface mount side-view LEDs that can be automatically reflowed to replace lamp LEDs that require manual bending of the leads for applications where the optical axis is aligned laterally to the circuit board.

It’s said that The SML-J1 series have achieved the industry's smallest profile (4.5mm: SML-J1) utilizing precision processing technology. Additional features include a novel high intensity element enabling ultra-high brightness (28cd at 20mA) and optimized lens and frame shape for extremely narrow directivity (8°), limiting optical axis shifting to only ±3°.

The new LEDs are available in a variety of colors, including orange, red, yellow, yellow-green, green, and infrared (for nighttime illumination).The SML-L1 is housed in a 3.6 x 4.9 x 3.3(h) mm package, while the SML-J1 is available in a 4 x 3.4 x 4.5(h) mm package.