PHOTOTRANSISTOR

Assigned by:
Engr. USMAN ALI KHAN
 Phototransistor:

• Introduction to phototransistor.
• Construction.
• Comparison with BJT.
• Principle & working of phototransistor.
• Advantages and disadvantages.
• Applications of phototransistor.
 Introduction to phototransistor

History
Definition of phototransistor
Recap of photodiode (definition , principle with
diagram, difference)
Symbol
Material
 What is phototransistor?

• An alternative photo-junction device to the photodiode is

the Phototransistor which is basically a photodiode with
amplification.
Basics:
• Two-junctions.
• Operation.
• Gain.
• Sensitivity.
• BGT to phototransistor.
 Let’s discuss recap of photodiode

• Photodiode:
A photodiode consists of an
active p-n junction which is
operated in reverse bias. When
light falls on the junction, a
reverse current flows which is
proportional to the luminance.
 photodiode:

• Symbol:

• Working and Characteristics:

 basic difference in photodiode and
phototransistor:

• Junction difference.
• Frequency Response .
• Gain.
• Temperature Response.
 Definition of phototransistor

• A phototransistor is an electronic switching and

current amplification component which relies on
exposure to light to operate.
• Exposed-base Section.
• Depend on light to operate it .
 Symbol of phototransistor:

Configurations of Phototransistor:
 Material:

• The first phototransistors used

single semiconductor materials
such as germanium and silicone
in their construction. Modern
components use several differing
material junctions
including gallium and arsenide for
higher efficiency levels. The
physical structure of the
transistor is also optimized to
allow for maximum light
exposure.
 Construction of Phototransistor
A photo transistor
is nothing but an
ordinary bi-polar
transistor in which Window
the base region is Emitter Base
exposed to the
illumination.
n p-type
n-type

Collector
 Construction of Phototransistor
Available in both the P-N-P and N-P-N types.
Common emitter configuration is generally used.
The base terminal is made open.
Different symbols of phototransistor
 Difference between:
Phototransistor:
• Collector base junction very
sensitive to light.
• Its working condition depends
upon intensity of light on base.
• Its symbol is with or without the
base terminal.
• Its collector base junction surface
area comparatively greater.
• There is a lens to focus the light.
Bipolar junction transistor:
• Collector base junction not
sensitive to light.
• Its working condition depends
upon the input current or its
input is base current.
• Its symbol is always with base
terminal.
• Its collector base surface area
comparatively smaller.
• There is no lens.
 Circuit diagram of p-n junction

Function of circuit

As a reverse biased collector

base junction

Resistor function

Function of lens

Increasing reverse current by

light
 Function diagram

Two light isolated devices

Light emitting device

Light sensitive device as

phototransistor.

Function of phototransistor.
 simple use of phototransistor

Phototransistor as a AND gate.

How it works?

Vcc for providing a biasing

Light as a input
 Output characteristics

Explanation of IC and VCE

Dark current
 About lux

Lumen per square meter.

Unit of luminance.
Measure the amount of visible light.
Lux which measures apparent brightness (power
multiplied by the human eye’s sensitivity).
Phototransistor:
1 mA @ 1000 lux
 Gain equation

• IC = β IB + (1+ β) ICBO

• Where β = Current amplification factor in CE conf

• IB = base current

• ICBO = Collector-to-base leakage current

• Since base terminal open, IB = 0

• IC = (1+ β) ICBO

• When CB is illuminated by incident

• light, I CBO increases

Phototransistor circuit configurations

Common emitter.

Common collector.

Common base.

Common base is seldom used.

Choice on requirement.
 Common emitter phototransistor circuit

Operation.

O/P of circuit before light.

O/P of circuit after light.

 Common collector phototransistor

Operation.

O/P before light.

O/P after light.

Photoresistor and phototransistor:
• Phototransistors work in a similar way to photo-
resistors.
• Phototransistor able to produce both current and
voltage.
• Photo-resistor produce only current.
 A photo resistor or light dependent resistor

(LDR) is a resistor whose resistance decreases with increasing

incident light intensity.

A photo resistor is made of a high resistance semiconductor.  

 
Video:
Phototransistor spectral responce
 Advantages of phototransistor:
Phototransistors produce a higher current than
photodiodes.

Phototransistors produce a voltage, that photo-resistors

cannot do so.

Phototransistors are very fast and are capable of providing

nearly instantaneous output.

Phototransistors are relatively inexpensive, simple, and

small enough to fit several of them onto a single integrated
computer chip.
 Disadvantages of phototransistor :
Phototransistors that are made of silicon are not capable of
handling voltages over 1,000 Volts.

Phototransistors also do not allow electrons to move as freely

as other devices do, such as electron tubes.

Phototransistors are also more vulnerable to surges and spikes

of electricity as well as electromagnetic energy.
 Applications of phototransistor
Some of the areas of application
for the phototransistor include.

Punch-card readers.

Computer logic circuitry.

Lighting control (highways etc).

 Applications of phototransistor

Level indication

Relays

Counting systems

IR detectors
 Transistor as a switching device

Cut Off state:

Base Emitter junction is not

forward biased.

Open circuit between

collector and emitter.
 Transistor as a switching device
Saturation state:

Base Emitter and Base Collector

junction forward biased.
Base is current is made high to
get Ic to its saturation value.

Collector and Emitter are short.

VCE( saturation) is obtained.
Conditions for Cutoff: Conditions for Saturation:

Base Emitter junction is not IB must be significantly greater

forward biased. to keep the transistor into
operation.
All currents are equal to
zero.
 An AND gate.

An Example of
Application in switching
circuits and Gates.

The terminology high isolation

simply refers to the lack of an
electrical connection between the
input and output circuits .

A high-isolation AND gate

using three phototransistors
and three LEDs (light-
emitting diodes) .
 Photo-darlington:

A photo Darlington consists of a

phototransistor connected in a
Darlington arrangement with a
conventional BJT.

Higher current gain.

Higher collector current.
Greater light sensitivity.
Light operated relay circuit
Darkness operated relay circuit
Light interruption alarm
 Light Activated silicon controlled rectifier:

An LASCR is a four
layer semiconductor
device that conducts
current in one direction
when activated by a
sufficient amount of light
and continues to conduct
untill light falls below a
specified value.
Any Question !!!