Photointerrupter highlights small footprint

Sharp Corp. will soon launch the GP1S396HCPSF subminiature photointerrupter, measuring 2.26 锟? 1.4 锟? 1.6 H mm.

Subminiature photointerrupters handle the optical zoom of digital cameras, and monitor the position of the lens for controlling the optical pick-up unit in Blu-ray Disc recorders, and manufacturers are demanding more compact sizes and enhanced detection performance in these devices.

The GP1S396HCPSF锟絪 compact package is enabled by thin-wall molding technology. It has a slit width of 0.12mm, which Sharp says is 40 percent smaller than the predecessor model, GP1S296HCPSF, thus improving detection accuracy.

It also highlights an enlarged gap between the emitter and receiver to 1.2 mm (predecessor model is 1.0 mm), which allows more flexibility in terms of the target objects that could pass in-between the emitter and receiver.

It is scheduled for mass production in October. Samples are available.