Chapter 4 Operation; Theory Of Operation; Responsivity; Modes Of Operation - THORLABS DET10A User Manual

Si Biased Detector Chapter 4: Operation

Chapter 4 Operation

4.1. Theory of Operation

A junction photodiode is an intrinsic device which behaves similarly to an ordinary
signal diode, but it generates a photocurrent when light is absorbed in the depleted
region of the junction semiconductor. A photodiode is a fast, highly linear device
that exhibits high quantum efficiency based upon the application and may be used
in a variety of different applications.
It is necessary to be able to correctly determine the level of the output current to
expect and the responsivity based upon the incident light. Depicted in Figure 1 is
a junction photodiode model with basic discrete components to help visualize the
main characteristics and gain a better understanding of the operation of Thorlabs'
photodiodes.
Series External
I
OUT
Resistance
Photodetector I I
Load
PD D
Junction Shunt
Diode
Resistance
Capacitance Resistance
Figure 1 Photodiode Model

4.2. Responsivity

The responsivity of a photodiode can be defined as a ratio of generated
photocurrent (I ) to the incident light power (P) at a given wavelength:
PD

4.3. Modes of Operation

A photodiode can be operated in one of two modes: photoconductive (reverse
bias) or photovoltaic (zero-bias). Mode selection depends upon the applications
speed requirements and the amount of tolerable dark current (leakage current).
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