Guidelines to Prevent LED Damage Due to Contamination

Guidelines to Prevent LED Damage Due to Contamination

Contaminants can darken LEDs, resulting in rapid light output degradation. This effect can be 
amplified when exposure to environmental pollutants is combined with high temperatures
and/or high intensities of high-energy photons in an environment with little to no ventilation. When
contamination occurs, it darkens the die surface, blocks the light, and thus dramatically depreciates
the LED’s luminous flux.

Some materials may be more likely to cause LED darkening under specific conditions. Contaminants
can also damage LEDs through corrosion, causing open circuits. The silicone encapsulant can be
damaged due to swelling, bulk discoloration, and loss of adhesion.

This Application Note describes the various contaminants and their effects on LEDs. It also
provides design guidelines to prevent LED darkening when using high-power LEDs.

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