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Photo Transistor: Dr.A.Anbarasi Associate Professor Department of Physics Cuddalore

The document discusses the phototransistor, which converts light energy into an electrical signal. A phototransistor works similarly to a normal transistor, except light hitting the base generates the input current rather than an external source. As light intensity increases on the base, the photocurrent and collector current also increase, as shown by the characteristic curve. Phototransistors are used in applications like light detection, level indication, counting systems, and punch card readers due to their high sensitivity to light.

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93 views14 pages

Photo Transistor: Dr.A.Anbarasi Associate Professor Department of Physics Cuddalore

The document discusses the phototransistor, which converts light energy into an electrical signal. A phototransistor works similarly to a normal transistor, except light hitting the base generates the input current rather than an external source. As light intensity increases on the base, the photocurrent and collector current also increase, as shown by the characteristic curve. Phototransistors are used in applications like light detection, level indication, counting systems, and punch card readers due to their high sensitivity to light.

Uploaded by

Hema Hema
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PHOTO TRANSISTOR

Dr.A.ANBARASI
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
CUDDALORE
PHOTO TRANSISTOR
PHOTO TRANSISTOR
• The phototransistor effectively converts light energy to an
electrical signal. In a phototransistor the base current is
produced when light strikes the photosensitive semiconductor
base region. The collector-base pn junction is exposed to
incident light through a lens opening in the transistor package.
WORKING OF PHOTO TRANSISTOR
• A photo transistor depends on the intensity of radiation falling at
its base region.
• Its working is almost similar to a normal transistor, however; the
variation lies in the input current that drives the circuit. And in
the case of a phototransistor, the incident light generates driving
current.
• The figure below represents the biasing arrangement of a
phototransistor
WORKING OF PHOTO TRANSISTOR
CIRCUIT OF PHOTO TRANSISTOR
PHOTO CURRENT
• As the intensity of the light falling at the base region is increased,
the current through the device also increases. Here, the
generated photocurrent majorly depends on the illumination
provided to the base.
CHARACTERISTIC CURVE OF PHOTO
TRANSISTOR
CHARACTERISTICS
• Here x-axis represents the voltage applied at the collector-
emitter terminal of the transistor and y-axis represents the
collector current that flows through the device in mill amperes.
• As all the curves in the above figure are clearly indicating that
current increases with the intensity of the radiation that falls at
the base region.
BASE CURRENT vsILLUMUNATION
LEVEL
ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES
• Advantages of Phototransistor
1.These are a highly sensitive optoelectronic device.
2.It is less complex and inexpensive.
3.Phototransistors provides a large output current with high gain.
• Disadvantages of Phototransistor
1.It provides a low-frequency response.
2.In the case when a small amount of illumination is provided, the circuit is
not able to detect it effectively.
3.Electric surges are more severe in phototransistors rather than a
photodiode.
4.Phototransistors gets affected by the variation in electromagnetic energy.
APPLICATIONS OF PHOTO
TRANSISTOR

• In light controlling and detection: As phototransistors are a very


sensitive light detector. Thus these are widely used in light detection and
controlling applications.
• In an indication of level and relays: The device finds its uses in indicating
the level of some systems because of their light sensing ability.
• In counting systems: Phototransistors can be effectively utilized in
counting systems. As it has tremendous ability to combinely operate as
photodiode and transistors. Thus, failure of supply will not cause much
adverse effects on the system.
• In punch card readers: Phototransistors widely finds its applications in
punch card reading.

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