High voltage optical isolator.

摘要

A high voltage optical isolator has a light emitting diode (14) which illuminates a photodetector (12) for conveying a signal by optical means while isolating the input voltage from the output. The LED (14) is spaced from the photodetector (12) by an extension (33) on an opaque reflective light guide (23) around the optical path between the LED (14) and photodetector (12). The light guide (23) has a transparent silicone resin medium in a light passage between the LED (14) and photodetector (12). The internal and external portions of the light guide (23) provide elongated crooked paths for enhancing electrical breakdown resistance. The entire optical isolator is packaged in a conventional DIP. Isolation voltages of 5,000 volts or more and enhancement of light flux coupling up to 300% are obtained.