To Study Variation of

Current Using a LDR

presentation by
Neha Fathima
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

01 02 03 04
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE THEORY MATERIALS REQUIRED

05 06 07 08
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM PROCEDURE OBSERVATIONS APPLICATION
09 CONCLUTION

10 BIBLIOGRAPHY
 ABSRACT
❖ 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).
❖ Extrinsic 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 suicient 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 300 nm. 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 520 nm. Thus it can be used nearer to the infrared region up to 750 nm. It was found that the
maximum response of Cadmium Sulfoselenide is in the yellow-orange range at 615 nm and also it can be
used in the infrared region up to about 970 nm.

Sensitivity Spectral Response

The sensitivity of a photodetector 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.
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 dierent power rating (bulbs)

• Bulb Holder

• Metre scale

• Multi Meter

• Baery
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
 APPLICATION
Lead sulfide (PbS) and indium antimonide (InSb) LDRs are used for the mid infrared
spectral region. GeCu photoconductors are among the best far infrared detectors
available, and are used for infrared astronomy and infrared spectroscopy.
Analog Applications Digital Applications
· Camera Exposure Control
· Automatic Headlight Dimmer
· Auto Slide Focus - dual cell
· Photocopy Machines - density of toner · Night Light Control
· Colorimetric Test Equipment
· Oil Burner Flame Out
· Densitometer
· Electronic Scales - dual cell · Street Light Control
· Automatic Gain Control – modulated light source
· Position Sensor
· Automated Rear View Mirror
 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.

 BIBLIOGRAPHY
NCERT physics class XII

Art of Electronics by paul worowitz

www.wikipedia.com/

www.electronics2000.co.uk/links/education-hobby/

www.ecelab.com/