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SENSOR TECHNOLOGY (220202)

NAME: AKSHAT CHITNIS

BRANCH: EEIOT (2nd Semester)
EXPERIMENT NO: 03

GUIDANCE BY: Prof. APRAJITA KUMARI

ENROLLMENT NO:0901E0201006 Signature of Examiner

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TOPIC: Draw the characteristics of photoconductive cell.

Aim: To draw the characteristics of photoconductive cell.

Theory:
Types of Optical Sensors:
There are different kinds of optical sensors, the most common types
which we have been using in our real-world applications as given below.
 Photoconductive devices used to measure the resistance by
converting a change of incident light into a change of resistance.
 The photovoltaic cell (solar cell) converts an amount of incident
light into an output voltage.
 The Photodiodes convert an amount of incident light into an output
current.
Photoconductive cell:
 A photoelectric cell utilizing photoconductivity (as in a layer of
selenium) so that an increase in illumination causes a decrease in
electrical resistance and permits the flow of a greater electrical
current.
 Photoconductive cell construction and working – light striking the
surface of a material can provide sufficient energy to cause
electrons within the material to break away from their atoms. Thus,
free electrons and holes (charge carriers) are created within the
material, and consequently its resistance is reduced. This is known
as the photoconductive effect.
 Photoconductivity which results from the generation of mobile
carriers when photons are absorbed by the semiconductor material
 Cadmium sulfide (CdS) and cadmium selenide (CdSe) are the two
materials normally used in photoconductive cell manufacture.
 Both respond rather slowly to changes in light intensity. For
cadmium selenide, the response time (tres) is around 10 ms, while
for cadmium sulfide it may be as long as 100 ms.
 Temperature sensitivity is another important difference between the
two materials There is a large change in the resistance of a
cadmium selenide cell with changes in ambient temperature, but
the resistance of cadmium sulfide remains relatively stable.
 It is seen that, when the cell is not illuminated its resistance can be
greater than 100 kΩ. This is known as the dark resistance of the
cell. When the cell is illuminated, its resistance might fall to a few
hundred ohms

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 The essential elements of a photoconductive cell are the ceramic

substrate, a layer of photoconductive material, metallic electrodes
to connect the device into a circuit and a moisture resistant
enclosure.
 Light sensitive material is arranged in the form of a long strip,
zigzagged across a disc shaped base with protective sides. For
added protection, a glass or plastic cover may be included. The two
ends of the strip are brought out to connecting pins below the base.

ENROLLMENT NO:0901E0201006 Signature of Examiner

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Applications of OPTICAL SENSOR: -

 Computers, wireless phones, and televisions, use ambient light
sensors to automatically control the brightness of a screen
 Barcode scanners used in retailer locations work using light
sensor technology
 In space and robotics: for controlled and guided motions of
vehicles and robots. The light sensor enables a robot to detect
light. Robots can be programmed to have a specific reaction if a
certain amount of light is detected.
 Auto Flash for camera
 Industrial process control
 making streetlights turn on and off automatically according to
the level of daylight
 in point-of-sale and inventory bar code reading devices
 in security devices such as motion sensing lights and cameras
 in alarm systems • as light meters in photographic applications.
 Photoconductive cells are generally inexpensive, and their small
size and ease of use makes them popular in many applications.

ENROLLMENT NO:0901E0201006 Signature of Examiner

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ENROLLMENT NO:0901E0201006 Signature of Examiner