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Last but not least, I would like to thank my classmates who have
rendered and done this project along with me. Their support made
this project fruitful.
- Lokesh Mali
Introduction
What is a Photodiode?
A photodiode is a PN-junction diode (Semiconductor Device) that
consumes light energy to
produce electric currentor
voltage based on the mode of
operation of the device.
Sometimes it is also called as
photo-detector, a light
detector, and photo-sensor.The
current is generated when
photons are absorbed in the
photodiode. Photodiodes may
contain optical filters, built-in lenses, and may have large or small
surface areas.These diodes have a slow response time as the surface
area of the photodiode increases.The
common, traditional solar cell used
to generate electric solar power is a
large area photodiode whichworks
only in bright light.
Some photodiodes
will look like a
light emitting
diode. They have
two terminals
coming from the
end. The smaller
end of the diode is
the cathode
terminal, while the
longer end of the
diode is the anode
terminal. 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.
Working of a Photodiode
Electromagnetic spectrum
Material
wavelength range (nm)
Silicon 190–1100
Germanium 400–1700
● ● ●
Because of their
greater band gap,
silicon-based
photodiodes
generate less noise
than germanium-
based photodiodes.
● ● ●
Types of Photodiode
The working of different types of photodiodes is slightly
different, but the basic operation of these diodes remains the
same. It can be classified based on its construction and functions
as follows.
PN Photodiode
PIN Photodiode
Avalanche Photodiode
Features
These diodes are much faster & more complex than normal
PN junction diodes and hence are frequently used for
lighting regulation and in optical communications.