Compare LED and Photo diode
Parameters
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LED (Light Emitting Diode)
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Photodiode
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Definition
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Two terminal device which converts electrical energy into light energy.
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Two Terminal Device which converts light energy into electrical energy.
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Working Principle
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Works on the principle of Electroluminance.
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Works on the principle of Photoconduction.
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Semiconductor used
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Gallium Arsenide Phosphide (GaAsP) or Gallium Phosphide (GaP) |
Germanium and Silicon
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Biasing Mode
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Forward Biased Only
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Reversed Biased Only
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Problem of Leakage Current
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No leakage current
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Reverse saturation current is significant. Dark current flows when no light rays are incident on it.
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Applications
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Indicator in AC circuit, Alphanumeric and Numeric display etc.
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Switching, high speed counting, ac coupled signaling etc.
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