"Allodoxaphobia" wrote in message
...

Don't count it out as not being an LED. Some opaque-to-the-human-eye
packages are, in fact, quite clear in either the IR or UV range.
It could be an IR LED.

Other than being black, that thing looks suspiciously like an LED, so I
would go for an IR LED.

...

xpyttl wrote:
Other than being black, that thing looks suspiciously like an LED, so I
would go for an IR LED.

You could apply power it to as you would an LED (using a
current-limiting resistor), and take a look at it in a digital camera's
display. Digital cameras are somewhat sensitive to IR, even though they
usually have a built-in IR cut filter. Try it with an IR remote control
to see what I mean.

Dan, KB1RT

"Dan Halbert" bravely wrote to "All" (31 Dec 05 20:34:08)
--- on the heady topic of " Identifying a mystery diode"

DH From: Dan Halbert
DH Xref: core-easynews rec.radio.amateur.homebrew:90419

DH You could apply power it to as you would an LED (using a
DH current-limiting resistor), and take a look at it in a digital
DH camera's display. Digital cameras are somewhat sensitive to IR, even
DH though they usually have a built-in IR cut filter. Try it with an IR
DH remote control to see what I mean.

DH Dan, KB1RT

IR LED makes quite sensitive IR receiver. Just power up the mystery
diode near it and measure the voltage across the leads using a DMM.

A*s*i*m*o*v

.... Curiousity didn't kill the cat, I got him with the mower!