Physics Project
On
Photo Diode and Applications
Name –Prince Shukla
Class –Xll ‘C’
Topic – Photodiode and its Applications
Roll no.-31
Lions English School
___________________
2023-24
Aim
To Study the characteristics
Of Photodiode
INVESTIGATORY
PROJECT
• Photodiode :-
• Working
• Principle
• Characteristics and
Applications
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
In the accomplishment of this project
successfully, I would like to thank my
principal Mrs.Nirali Parekh and physics
teacher Mrs.Chithra Praveen, whose
valuable guidance has been the ones
that helped me patch this project and
make it full proof success his
suggestions and his instructions has
served as the major contributor towards
the completion of the project. Last but
not the least I would like to thank my
classmates who have helped me a lot.
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that Prince Shukla, a
student of class XII ‘C’ has successfully
completed the investigatory project under
my guidance during the year 2023 – 24 and
his work is original.
(Signature)
Physics Teacher
INDEX
•Introduction
•Photodiode
•Types of Photodiode
• Material Required
•Working
• Modes of Operation
• V-I Characteristics
• Applications
• Conclusion
INTRODUCTION :-
A photodiode is a PN junction diode that
consumes light energy to produce electric
current. Sometimes it is also called as
photodetector, a light detector, and
photosensor. These diodes are particularly
designed to work in reverse bias
condition, it means that the Pside of the
photodiode is associated with the
negative terminal of the battery and nside
is connected to the positive terminal of
the battery.
WHAT IS A PHOTODIODE
• A photodiode is one type of light detector, used to convert the light into current
or voltage based on the mode of operation of the device.
• It comprises of optical filters, built-in lenses and also surface areas.
• These diodes have a slow response time when the surface area of the
photodiode increases.
• Photodiodes are alike to regular semiconductor diodes.
• They may be either visible to let light reach the delicate part of the device.
• Several diodes intended for use exactly as a photodiode will also use a PIN
junction somewhat than the usual PN junction.
See the following schematic diagram for the anode and cathode
side.
• Under forward bias condition, conventional current will flow from
the anode to the cathode, following the arrow in the diode symbol.
• Photocurrent flows in the reverse direction.
TYPES OF PHOTODIODES
The types of the photodiodes can be
classified based on its construction
and functions as follows :-
• PN Photodiode
• Schottky Photo Diode
• PIN Photodiode
• Avalanche Photodiode
The main features of photodiodes are as
following :-
• These diodes are widely used in different
applications
• Where the detection of the presence of light,
colour, position, intensity is required
• The linearity of the diode is good with respect
to incident light
• Noise is low
• The response is wide spectral
• Rugged mechanically
• Light weight and compact
• Long life
MATERIALS REQUIRED TO MAKE A
PHOTODIODE :
• For Lead (II) sulfide material: The
electromagnetic spectrum wavelength
range will be <1000-3500) nm
•For Mercury, cadmium Telluride material:
The electromagnetic spectrum wavelength
range will be (400-14000) nm
• Because of their better band gap, Sibased
photodiodes produce lower noise than
Gebased photodiodes.
WORKING OF
PHOTO DIODE
• When a photon of ample energy strikes the
diode.
• It makes a couple of an electron-hole.
• This mechanism is also called as the inner
photoelectric effect.
• If the absorption arises in the depletion region
junction.
• Then the carriers are removed from the
junction by the inbuilt electric field of the
depletion region.
• The holes in the region move toward the
anode, and electrons move toward the
cathode, and a photocurrent will be
generated.
• The entire current through the diode is the
sum of the absence of light and the
photocurrent.
• So the absent current must be reduced to
maximize the sensitivity of the device.
MODES OF OPERATION
• Photovoltaic mode
• Photoconductive mode
• Avalanche diode mode
Photovoltaic Mode:
-This mode is also known as zero
bias mode.
-In which a voltage is produced by
the lightened photodiode.
-It gives a very small dynamic
range & non-linear necessity of the
voltage formed.
Photoconductive Mode
-The photodiode used in this
photoconductive mode is more usually
reverse biased.
-The reverse voltage application will
increase the depletion layer’s width.
Which in turn decreases the response
time & the junction capacitance. This
mode is too fast and displays
electronic noise.
Avalanche Diode Mode
-Avalanche diodes operate in a high
reverse bias condition.
-Which permits multiplication of an
avalanche breakdown to each
photoproduced electron-hole pair. -This
outcome in an internal gain in the
photodiode, which slowly increases the
device response.
V-I Characteristics of
Photodiode
-A photodiode continually operates in
a reverse bias mode. -The
photocurrent is nearly independent of
reverse bias voltage
which is applied.
-For zero luminance, the photocurrent
is almost zero excluding for small dark
current.
The characteristics of the photodiode are shown
clearly in the following figure
Applications of Photodiode
• The applications of photodiodes
involve in similar applications of
photodetectors like charge-coupled
devices, photoconductors, and
photomultiplier tubes. These diodes
are used in consumer electronics
devices like smoke detectors, compact
disc players, televisions and remote
controls in VCRs.
• It uses in consumer devices like clock
radios, camera light meters, and street
lights.
• Photodiodes are also widely used in
numerous medical applications like
instruments to analyze samples,
detectors for computed tomography
and also used in blood gas monitors.
• These diodes are much faster & more
complex than normal PN junction
diodes.
• It is frequently used for lighting
regulation and in optical •
communications.
CONCLUSION
A photodiode is a kind of
light detector, which involves
the conversion of light into
voltage or current, based on
the mode of operation of the
device. A photodiode is a
semiconductor device, with a
p-n junction and an intrinsic
layer between p and n layers.
Bibliography
• NCERT textbooks
•Physics Practical books
•Wikipedia
•I-CBSE.com
