A photodiode is a light detector that converts light into an electrical current. A photodiode is a semi-conductor device, with a p-n junction and an intrinsic layer between p and n layers. It produces photocurrent by generating electron-hole pairs, due to the absorption of light in the depletion region. The photocurrent thus generated is proportional to the absorbed light intensity.
Symbol of Photodiode
Operation:
1. When external light energy is supplied to the p-n junction photodiode, the valence electrons in the depletion region gains energy. 2. If the light energy applied to the photodiode is greater the band-gap of semiconductor material, the valence electrons gain enough energy and break bonding with the parent atom. The valence electron which breaks bonding with the parent atom will become free electron. Free electrons moves freely from one place to another place by carrying the electric current. 3. When the valence electron leave the valence shell an empty space is created in the valence shell at which valence electron left. This empty space in the valence shell is called a hole. Thus, both free electrons and holes are generated as pairs. The mechanism of generating electron-hole pair by using light energy is known as the inner photoelectric effect. 4. Mostly free electrons move towards the n region. When the free electrons reaches n region, they are attracted towards the positive terminals of the battery. In the similar way, holes move in opposite direction. 5. The strong depletion region electric field and the external electric field increase the drift velocity of the free electrons. Because of this high drift velocity, the minority carriers (free electrons and holes) generated in the depletion region will cross the p-n junction before they recombine with atoms. As a result, the minority carrier current increases. 6. When no light is applied to the reverse bias photodiode, it carries a small reverse current due to external voltage. This small electric current under the absence of light is called dark current. It is denoted by I λ. 7. In a photodiode, reverse current is independent of reverse bias voltage. Reverse current is mostly depends on the light intensity.