SENSOR

TECHNO
LOGYEXPERIMENT NO. - 3

SUBMITTED BY : SUBMITTED TO:

RAHUL KUSHWAH prof. APRAJITA KUMARI

ENROLLMENT NO:

0901IO201051

AIM:
DRAW THE CHARACTERISTICS OF PHOTOCONDUCTIVE CELL

APPARATUS:
Photoconductive cells

THEORY:

PHOTOCONDUCTIVE CELL

• A photoelectric cell utilizing photoconductivity (as in a layer of selenium) so

that an increase in illumination causes a decrease in electrical resistance and
permits the flow of a greater electrical current.

• Photoconductive cell construction and working – light striking the surface of

a material can provide

sufficient energy to cause electrons within the material to break away from
their atoms. Thus, free electrons

and holes (charge carriers) are created within the material, and consequently
its resistance is reduced. This is known as the photoconductive effect.

• Photoconductivity which results from the generation of mobile carriers when

photons are absorbed by the semiconductor material

• Cadmium sulfide (CdS) and cadmium selenide (CdSe) are the two materials
normally used in photoconductive cell manufacture.

• Both respond rather slowly to changes in light intensity. For cadmium

selenide, the response time

(tres) is around 10 ms, while for cadmium sulfide it may be as long as 100 ms.

• Temperature sensitivity is another important difference between the two

materials There is a large

change in the resistance of a cadmium selenide cell with changes in ambient

temperature, but the
resistance of cadmium sulfide remains relatively stable.

• It is seen that, when the cell is not illuminated its resistance can be greater
than 100 kΩ. This is

known as the dark resistance of the cell. When the cell is illuminated, its
resistance might fall to a few hundred ohms

• The essential elements of a photoconductive cell are the ceramic substrate, a

layer of photoconductive

material, metallic electrodes to connect the device into a circuit and a moisture
resistant enclosure.

• Light sensitive material is arranged in the form of a long strip, zigzagged

across a disc shaped base with

protective sides. For added protection, a glass or plastic cover may be included.
The two ends of the strip are

brought out to connecting pins below the base.

Applications of photo resistor

• Computers, wireless phones, and televisions, use ambient light sensors to

automatically control the brightness of a screen

• Barcode scanners used in retailer locations work using light sensor

technology

• In space and robotics: for controlled and guided motions of vehicles and
robots. The light sensor enables a robot to detect light. Robots can be
programmed to have a specific reaction if a certain amount of light is detected.

• Auto Flash for camera

• Industrial process control