optical power meter

A photodiode is a semiconductor diode that functions as a photodetector. Photodiodes are packaged with either a window or optical fibre connection, in order to let in the light to the sensitive part of the device. They may also be used without a window to detect vacuum UV or X-rays.

A phototransistor is in essence nothing more than a bipolar transistor that is encased in a transparent case so that light can reach the base-collector junction. The phototransistor works like a photodiode, but with a much higher sensitivity for light, because the electrons that are generated by photons in the base-collector junction are injected into the base, and this current is then amplified by the transistor operation. However, a phototransistor has a slower response time than a photodiode. Optical Power Meter.

Principle of operation

A photodiode is a p-n junction or p-i-n structure. When light with sufficient photon energy strikes a semiconductor, photons can be absorbed, resulting in generation of a mobile electron and electron hole. If the absorption occurs in the junction's depletion region, these carriers are swept from the junction by the built-in field of the depletion region, producing a photocurrent.

Photodiodes can be used in either zero bias or reverse bias. In zero bias, light falling on the diode causes a voltage to develop across the device, leading to a current in the forward bias direction.