Abstract

The general purpose photoconductive cell is also known as LDR – light

dependent resistor. It is a type of semiconductor and its conductivity
changes with proportional change in the intensity of light. There are two
common types of materials used to manufacture the photoconductive cells.
They are Cadmium Sulphide (CdS) and Cadmium Selenide (CdSe).
Extrinsi\c devices have impurities added, which have a ground state energy
closer to the conduction band - since the electrons don't have as far to
jump, lower energy photons (i.e. longer wavelengths and lower
frequencies) are sufficient to trigger the device. Two of its earliest
applications were as part of smoke and fire detection systems and camera
light meters. The structure is covered with glass sheet to protect it from
moisture and dust and allows only light to fall on it.

Objective
To study the variations, in current flowing in a circuit containing a LDR,
because of a variation:-
(a) In the power of the incandescent lamp, used to ‘illuminate’ the LDR.
(Keeping all the lamps at a fixed distance).
(b) In the distance of a incandescent lamp, (of fixed power), used to
‘illuminate’ the LDR.

Theory
1.) LDR and its characteristics When light is incident on it, a photon is
absorbed and thereby it excites an electron from valence band into
conduction band. Due to such new electrons coming up in conduction band
area, the electrical resistance of the device decreases. Thus the LDR or
photo-conductive transducer has the resistance which is the inverse
function of radiation intensity.

λ0 = threshold wavelength, in meters e = charge on one electron, in

Coulombs Ew = work function of the metal used, in Ev
Here we must note that any radiation with wavelength greater than the
value obtained in above equation CANNOT PRODUCE any change in the
resistance of this device. The band gap energy of Cadmium Sulphide is
2.42eV and for Cadmium Selenide it is1.74eV. Due to such large energy
gaps, both the materials have extremely high resistivity at room
temperature.

Characteristics of photoconductive cells

Now when the device is kept in darkness, its resistance is called as dark
resistance. This resistance is typically of the order of 1013 ohms. When
light falls on it, its resistance decreases up to several kilo ohms or even
hundreds of ohms, depending on the intensity of light, falling on it. The
spectral response characteristics of two commercial cells were compared in
our laboratory. And we found that there is almost no response to the
radiation of a wavelength which was shorter than 300nm. It was very
interesting to note that the Cadmium Sulphide cell has a peak response
nearer or within the green color of the spectrum within a range of 520nm.
Thus it can be used nearer to the infra-red region up to 750nm. It was
found that the maximum response of Cadmium Sulphoselenide is in the
yellow-orange range at 615nm and also it can be used in the infra-red
region up to about 970nm.

Sensitivity
The sensitivity of a photo detector is the relationship between the light
falling on the device and the resulting output signal. In the case of a
photocell, one is dealing with the relationship between the incident light and
the corresponding resistance of the cell.

Spectral Response
Like the human eye, the relative sensitivity of a photoconductive cell is
dependent on the wavelength (color) of the incident light. Each
photoconductor material type has its own unique spectral response curve
or plot of the relative response of the photocell versus wavelength of light.

Materials Required:
• Light Dependent Resistor (LDR)
• Connecting Wires
• Source of different power rating (bulbs)
• Bulb Holder
• Metre scale
• Multi Meter
• Battery

Circuit Diagram
Procedure:
Choose a specific position for the source and mount it using a holder, make
sure it is stable.
Select the bulb with the lowest power rating and connect it to the holder as
shown in the figure.
Connect the LDR, battery(6V) and the multimeter in series.
Set the multimeter to ohm section and select suitable range and measure
the resistance with a bulb on.
Similarly switch to current section and move to micro ampere in the
multimeter. This gives the value of the current.
Repeat these steps with different power sources at different distances and
note down observations
Observations
The experiment has been conducted by using various sources with
different power ratings. Voltage of the battery = 6 V
Application :-
Lead sulfide (PbS) and indium antimonide (InSb) LDRs are used for the
mid infrared spectral region. GeCu photoconductors are among the best
farinfrared detectors available, and are used for infrared astronomy and
infrared spectroscopy.

Analog Applications
· Camera Exposure Control
· Auto Slide Focus - dual cell
· Photocopy Machines - density of toner
· Colorimetric Test Equipment
· Densitometer
· Electronic Scales - dual cell
· Automatic Gain Control – modulated light source
· Automated Rear View Mirror

Digital Applications
· Automatic Headlight Dimmer
· Night Light Control
· Oil Burner Flame Out
· Street Light Control
· Position Sensor

Conclusion
The LDR resistance decreases with increase in intensity of light and hence
there is an increase in the flow of current.
There is an increase in the current as the distance from the source
decreases.
The intensity decreases as the distance from the source increases
The error lies within the experimental limit.

References
NCERT physics class XII
Art of Electronics by paul worowitz
www.wikipedia.com/
www.electronics2000.co.uk/links/education-hobby/
www.ecelab.com/