One of these (although overkill in other respects) looks to me like it could be subverted to do what you wanted. Maybe even put the receiver LEDs in series to get plenty of extra voltage at the other end.
White ones in series configuration are easier to find cheaper:
In AoE3, page 205, we have Figure 3.107, where we show and discuss the scene you're talking about. We used a TLP191B as an isolated voltage source. Comes in a small 4-pin pkg, $1.71, qty 100, at Digi-Key. It's rated for 5kV isolation for 1 minute, call it 2kV continuous. It provides 7V with a 10uA load, driving its LED with 10mA (we suggest 30mA drive to get 8V out). This compares to 10V at 2uA load, in your final blue-to-green LED setup.
You said you need more distance, a few mm, is that for a higher voltage rating? What rating do you need, and what do you think your LED-pair setup will be good for?
BTW, I assume you read our AoE x-Chapter, section 9x.23, posted here earlier? Sending Power on a Beam of Light
It's a confidence thing. A few mm is clearly visible, a visible LED likewise, and a physical gap means a mechanical interlock is easy and visible.
If someone is going to handle a device which is normally powered form
1kV or so, then these things are more comforting than a small plastic package, no matter what the specs.
I've used the photovoltaic devices elsewhere, they're very useful. I'm aiming for 10V 10uA or so and don't much care about efficiency. I'm going to try some narrow beam LEDs next, but not for a few days.
If you are relying on a mechanical shutter as the interlock, you'd have to make sure that that the output LEDs acting as PV devices never get to be in sunshine, or the output will be powered whether or not the interlock is engaged. It might be tricky to make the interlock visible and keep the PV devices reasonably in the dark, both at the same time.
I got some Broadcom ALMD-CM1F-34002 15 degree green LEDs and the blue equivalent. Five of each in series, blues running at 20mA.
With a 10mm gap between lenses (that's about 15mm die to die) I measure
10.4V on the DVM, 10.2V with a 1M shunt, so comfortably meeting my 10V
10uA notional requirement. I don't need such a big gap, so I could drop the drive current or maybe use lower power cheaper LEDs.
It's the 15 degree beam angle that makes all the difference as you might expect.
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