Optical isolator PerkinElmer Optoelectronics

Analog Optoisolators



PerkinElmer Optoelectronics, a leading manufacturer of analog optical isolators (AOI) for over twenty years, makes a broad range of standard parts under its trademark VACTROL®.

There are many kinds of optical isolators, but the most common is the LED/phototransistor type. Other familiar types use output elements such as light sensitive SCRs, Triacs, FETs and ICs. The major application for these silicon based devices is to provide electrical isolation of digital lines connected between different pieces of equipment. The principle of operation is very simple. When an input current is applied to the LED, the output phototransistor turns on. The only connection between the LED and phototransistor is through light - not electrically, thus the term optical isolator. These optical isolators are primarily digital in nature with fast response times for interfacing with logic gates. Rise and fall times of a few microseconds, faster for some isolators, are typical.

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