LDR Properties:

The LDR Resistance decreases with increasing light

intensity.
• LDRs are used to measure the light level.
• They are slow to react so they are not used
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other optical communications systems.

• They are used in light meters for photography and for systems
that turn on lights when it gets dark.
• The LDR is normally used with a fixed resistor. This prevents
too much current flowing when the light is very bright.
• The LDR and fixed resistor convert the varying light level
into a varying voltage.
 Measure Light Intensity using Light Dependent
Resistor (LDR)
If the LDR connected to 5V through a 3.3K resistor, using
the
voltage divider rule, the output voltage of the LDR i

The resistance of the Light Dependent Substituting R from equation 1 into

Resistor (LDR) varies according to the equation 2, we obtain the light intensity
amount of light that falls on it. The
relationship between the resistance R and
light intensity Lux for a typical LDR is

For a low cost LDR, at the same light intensity, the part to part
variation in resistance can be as high as 50%. Therefore such a low
cost LDR is seldom used for measuring light intensity but more for
light presence/absence detection.
DR Protection
The LDR is wired up with a resistor in series.
This makes a voltage divider circuit.
The series resistor is chosen to satisfy two
design constraints.
•When the light is bright and the LDR
resistance drops close to zero, the other
resistor MUST ensure that the LDR
current remains below a safe limit.
•It is also desirable if the LDR
resistance and the series resistance
are approximately equal at the light
level you are trying to detect.
Light dependent resistor
specifications
Max power dissipation This is the maximum power the device is able to
dissipate within a given temperature range. Derating may be applicable
above a certain temperature.

Maximum operating voltage Particularly as the device is semiconductor

based, the maximum operating voltage must be observed. This is typically
specified at 0 lux, i.e. darkness.
Peak wavelength This photoresistor specification details the wavelength of
maximum sensitivity. Curves may be provided for the overall response in
some instances. The wavelength is specified in nm.
Resistance when illuminated
The resistance under illumination is a key specification is a key
parameter for any photoresistor. Often a minimum and maximum
resistance is given under certain light conditions, often 10 lux. A
minimum and maximum vale may be given because of the spreads
that are likely to be encountered. A 'fully on' condition may also be
given under extreme lighting, e.g. 100lux.

Dark resistance
Dark resistance values will be given for the photoresistor. These may
be specified after a given time because it takes a while for the
resistance to fall as the charge carrier recombine - photoresistors are
noted for their slow response times.
Max power dissipation 200mW
Max voltage @ 0 lux 200V
Peak wavelength 600nm
Min. resistance @ 10lux 1.8kΩ
Max. resistance @ 10lux 4.5kΩ
Typ. resistance @ 100lux 0.7kΩ
Dark resistance after 1 sec 0.03MΩ
Dark resistance after 5 sec 0.25MΩ
Current potential graph for
LDR
 Photoresistor / LDR structure
The active semiconductor region is normally deposited
onto a semi-insulating substrate and the active region is
normally lightly doped.
In many discrete photoresistor devices, an interdigital
pattern is used to increase the area of the photoresistor
that is exposed to light. The pattern is cut in the
metallisation on the surface of the active area and this lets
the light through. The two metallise areas act as the two
contacts for the resistor. This area has to be made
relatively large because the resistance of the contact to the
active area needs to be minimised.
This type of structure is widely used for many small
photoresists or light dependent resistors that are seen.
The interdigital pattern is quite recognisable.
The materials used for photoresists are semiconductors
and include materials such as CdSe, CdS, CdTe, InSb,
InP, PbS, PbSe, Ge, Is, GaAs. Each material gives
different properties in terms of the wavelength of
sensitivity, etc.
 THANK
S
HELLO SUMMER