LIGHT SENSOR USING PHOTODIODE

(SUBJECT-: PHYSICS PAPER - ANALOG SYSTEMS AND APPLICATIONS)

(SEMESTER-III, YEAR-2020-23)

A Project Submitted to Gangadhar Meher University

in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of

Bachelor of Science
in
Physics

BY
SWAPNIL KUMAR MISHRA
(Roll No.-BS20PHY028)

Under the Supervision

of
Dr.Susanta Kumar Das
(Professor in Physics)

School of Physics Gangadhar Meher University, Amruta Vihar

Sambalpur, Odisha, India -768004
Dedicated
To
My Family
 DECLARATION

I hereby declare that the PROJECT entitled LIGHT SENSOR USING

PHOTODIODE to Gangadhar Meher University, for the award of the
degree of the BACHELOR OF SCIENCE in Physics is the result of the
research work carried out by me in Gangadhar Meher University,
Amruta Vihar, Sambalpur, Odisha, under the supervision of Prof. (Dr.)
Susanta Kumar Das during the period of SEMESTER -III.

I further declare that the results of this project work is purely review
work.

DATE:25 February 2022 Swapnil Kumar

Mishra
PLACE:SAMBALPUR Roll No.-
BS20PHY028

I
 SCHOOL OF PHYSICS
GANGADHAR MEHER UNIVERSITY, AMRUTA VIHAR
SAMBALPUR, ODISHA, INDIA-768004.

Prof.(Dr.)Sushanta Kumar Das E-mail:skdas@gmuniversity.ac.in

( Professor ) Phone:+91-9658039777

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the work contained in the report entitled ,Light
Sensor Using Photodiode submitted by Swapnil Kumar Mishra (Roll No.-
BS20PHY028) for the award of the degree of B.Sc Physics to the Gangadhar
Meher University, Amruta Vihar, Sambalpur, Odisha-768004, is a record of
bona fide research works carried out by him under my direct supervision and
guidance.
I considered that the report has reached the standards and fullling the
requirements of the rules and regulations relating to the nature of the
degree.
I wish him all success in his life.

Date: February 25, 2022

Signature of Supervisor
Place: Sambalpur

II
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Foremost, thanks to God, the Almighty for the wisdom he bestowed upon
me and his showers of blessings throughout my dissertation work to
complete it successfully.
Gratitude and indebtedness to my guide,Prof.(Dr.)S.K Das ,Professor,
School of Physics, Gangadhar Meher University, Amruta Vihar,
Sambalpur, Odisha-768004. His timely direction, complete co-operation
and minute observation have made my research work fruitful rewarding.
I am grateful to all my teachers and non-teaching sta members of the
School of Physics, Gangadhar Meher University, Amruta Vihar,
Sambalpur, Odisha, for their encouragement to finish this research work.
I am thankful to my friends
Pranay Kumar Deep - PHY 029
Isharani Pradhan - PHY031
Prabhat Sidhar - PHY035
Subhra Prakash Padhan - PHY036
Rohan Pradhan - PHY038

for their help and co-operation till completion of this report.

Lastly, my higher education and career was a dream of my parents and

family members. I am indebted to all of them for their good will, love and
affection. In particular I pray for the blessings of my parents without
whom I could not have dreamt anything in my life.

Date:February 25,2022 Swapnil Kumar Mishra

Place: Sambalpur Roll No. – BS20PHY028

III
 CONTENTS

1. DECLARATION I
2. CERTIFICATE II

3. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT III

4.Descripton And Working Principle Of The Sensor 1

1.1 Input Circuit 1
1.2 Pictures Of Input Circuit 2
1.3 Output Circuit 3
1.4 Pictures of Output Circuit 4

5. Pictures of Working Model Of Light Sensor 5

6. List Of Equipments Used 7

7. Construction Of Photodiodes 8

8. Voltage ~ Input Characteristics Of Photodiode 9

9.CONCLUSION 10
10.REFERENCES 11
 DESCRIPTION AND WORKING PRINCIPLE
 The project aim was to build a light sensor using a photodiode.It consists
of two indivisual circuits which act as an input and an output circuit.

1)THE INPUT CIRCUIT

The input circuit consists of an AC voltage source.A variable resistance or

rheostat which has been taken as an normal household fan speed regulator
controls the current in the circuit. An incandescent bulb has been installed in the
circuit which converts the given electrical energy into the form of light energy.
A switch has been also integrated to turn off the bulb when not needed to
conserve energy. The variable resistance has different levels of resistance due to
which the bulb also glows in different intensities of light therefore we can
manually set the light intensity using the variable resistance integrated in the
input circuit.

[1]
Pictures of Working Model of Input Circuit

1) Input circuit producing low intensity of light

2) Input circuit producing high intensity of light

[2]
2)THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT

The output circuit receives the given light energy by the input circuit.The
photodiode in the circuit which is reverse biased condition and therefore
provides infinte resistance to the circuit and so does not allow current to pass
through it.When it receives light energy provided by the input circuit ,the photo
diode starts conducting current and the buzzer present in the circuit sets off.The
photodiode therefore acts as a switch/sensor in output circuit sensing the light
energy present. A 10 kilo ohm resistance has been added before the photodiode
to not let excessive current pass through it.

The working principle in step-wise manner is:-

1.The input circuit provides us with the light energy using the bulb.
2.The photodiode present on the output circuit receives the light energy.
3.The photodiode converts the light energy it receives to electrical current
4.The photodiode let’s electrical current pass through it,after receiving light
energy.
5.Since, the photodiode let's electrical current pass through it the buzzer sets off
sounding the alarm.
6.The light sensing procedure can also be verified by the LED fit into the circuit

[3]
Pictures of Working Model of Output Circuit

1)Internal Connection Of The Output Circuit

2)Output Circuit Working Under a Phone Flashlight

[4]
Images Of Working Model Of Light Sensor

1 ) Working Model At Low Intensity Of Input Light

2 ) Working model at High Intensity Of Output Light

[5]
LIST OF COMPONENTS USED :-
1)PHOTODIODE

A photodiode is a semiconductor p–n junction device that converts light into an

electrical current. 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. Photodiodes usually have a slower response
time as their surface area increases. The common, traditional solar cell used to
generate electric solar power is a large area photodiode.

Photodiodes are similar to regular semiconductor diodes except that they may
be either exposed (to detect vacuum UV or X-rays) or packaged with a window
or optical fiber connection to allow light to reach the sensitive part of the
device. Many diodes designed for use specially as a photodiode use a PIN
junction rather than a p–n junction, to increase the speed of response. A
photodiode is designed to operate in reverse bias.

Principle of operation

A photodiode is a PIN structure or p–n junction. When a photon of sufficient

energy strikes the diode, it creates an electron–hole pair. This mechanism is also
known as the inner photoelectric effect. If the absorption occurs in the junction's
depletion region, or one diffusion length away from it, these carriers are swept
from the junction by the built-in electric field of the depletion region. Thus
holes move toward the anode, and electrons toward the cathode, and a
photocurrent is produced. The total current through the photodiode is the sum of
the dark current (current that is generated in the absence of light) and the
photocurrent, so the dark current must be minimized to maximize the sensitivity
of the device.

*Purchased from Flipkart[1]

[6]
2)Resistors and Variable Resistance (FAN Regulator)

A resistor is a passive two-terminal electrical component that implements

electrical resistance as a circuit element. In electronic circuits, resistors are
used to reduce current flow, adjust signal levels, to divide voltages, bias active
elements, and terminate transmission lines, among other uses. High-power
resistors that can dissipate many watts of electrical power as heat may be used
as part of motor controls, in power distribution systems, or as test loads for
generators. Fixed resistors have resistances that only change slightly with
temperature, time or operating voltage. Variable resistors can be used to adjust
circuit elements (such as a volume control or a lamp dimmer), or as sensing
devices for heat, light, humidity, force, or chemical activity.

Variable resistors

A resistor may have one or more fixed tapping points so that the resistance can
be changed by moving the connecting wires to different terminals. Some
wirewound power resistors have a tapping point that can slide along the
resistance element, allowing a larger or smaller part of the resistance to be
used.Where continuous adjustment of the resistance value during operation of
equipment is required, the sliding resistance tap can be connected to a knob
accessible to an operator. Such a device is called a rheostat and has two
terminals.

*Purchased from local stores in Sambalpur

3)INCANDESCENT BULB

An incandescent light bulb, incandescent lamp or incandescent light globe is

an electric light with a wire filament heated until it glows. The filament is
enclosed in a glass bulb with a vacuum or inert gas to protect the filament
from oxidation. Current is supplied to the filament by terminals or wires
embedded in the glass. A bulb socket provides mechanical support and
electrical connections.

*Purchased from local stores in Sambalpur

4) 9-Volt Battery

The nine-volt battery format is commonly available in primary carbon-zinc

and alkaline chemistry, in primary lithium iron disulfide, and in rechargeable
form in nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride and lithium-ion.
It powers the output circuit of the model.

*Purchased from local stores in Sambalpur

[7]
Construction of A Photodiode
The photodiode is made using two semiconductors like P-type & N-type. In
this design, the formation of P-type material can be done from the diffusion of
the P-type substrate which is lightly doped. So, the P+ ions layer can be formed
because of the diffusion method. On the substrate of N-type, the N-type
epitaxial layer can be grown

The designing of the non-active surface can be done with silicon dioxide
(SiO2). On an active surface, the light rays can strike over it whereas, on a
non-active surface, the light rays cannot strike. & the active surface can be
covered through the material of anti-reflection so that the energy of light
cannot lose and the highest of it can be changed into the current.

Applications of Photodiode
 Photodiodes help to provide an electric isolation with help of
optocouplers. When two isolated circuits are illuminated by light,
optocouplers is used to couple the circuit optically. But the circuits will
be isolated electrically. Compared to conventional devices, optocouplers
are fast.
 Photodiodes are also used in safety electronics like fire and smoke
detectors.
 It is also used in TV units.When utilized in cameras, they act as photo
sensors.
 It is used in scintillators charge-coupled devices, photoconductors, and
photomultiplier tubes
 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.
 It is use in linear response of photodiode to a light illumination. When
light fall
 It is much faster and more complex than normal PN junction diode so it is
use in lighting regulation and optical communication

[8]
V-I Characteristics of Photodiode
Photodiode operates in reverse bias condition. Reverse voltages are plotted
along X axis in volts and reverse current are plotted along Y-axis in
microampere. Reverse current does not depend on reverse voltage. When there
is no light illumination, reverse current will be almost zero. The minimum
amount of current present is called as Dark Current. Once when the light
illumination increases, reverse current also increases linearly.

General Theoritcal Graph For All Photodiodes

Experimental Graph For Photodiode Used In The Sensor

[9]
Conclusion
• The project Light Sensor Using a Photodiode was theoretically and
experimentally correct.
• The characteristics of a Photodiode were experimentally tested and
implied in this project for greater enhancement of the knowledge of
electronics.

[10]
REFERENCES

1)Flipkart.com – Photodiodes- https://www.flipkart.com/sunrobotics-everlight-

photodiode-led-receiver-5mm-black-10-pcs-electronic-components-hobby-
kit/p/itme8d4a57ecdd2e?pid=EHKGAEGBRXZGQY5E&lid=LSTEHKGAEG
BRXZGQY5EUUCWLL&marketplace=FLIPKART&q=Photodiode&store=sea
rch.flipkart.com&pageUID=1644599183963

2)Wikipedia.com

3)circuit-diagram.org

4)electronicshub.org

5)elprocus.com

6)Electronic Devices And Circuit Theory-Boylestead & Nashelsky

[11]