Photodiode and Solarcell (31.8.20) & (1.9.20)

Photodiode & Solar cell
Photo diode-Introduction
• Definition: A special type of PN junction
device that generates current when exposed
to light is known as Photodiode.
• It is also known as photodetector,
photosensor (or) light detector.
• It operates in reverse biased mode
and converts light energy into electrical
energy.
Principle of photodiode
• It works on the principle of Photoelectric
effect.
• The operating principle of the photodiode is
such that when the junction of this two-
terminal semiconductor device is illuminated
then the electric current starts flowing
through it.
Contd..
Contd..
Contd..
Contd..
Contd..
Photodiode -Symbol
The symbol of the photodiode is similar to that
of an LED but the arrows point inwards as
opposed to outwards in the LED. The following
image shows the symbol of a photodiode.
Photodiode-construction
• The PN Junction is kept in a sealed plastic (or)
glass casing.
• The cover is so designed that the light rays are
allowed to fall on the surface of the junction.
• The remaining sides of the casing are painted
to restrict the penetration of light rays.
• The overall unit is of very small dimension
nearly about 2.5 mm
• The current flowing through the device is
in micro-ampere
Contd..
Working of Photo diode
Contd..
• Dark Current: when no light is incident on PN
junction a very small reverse current flows
through the device that is termed as dark
current occurs due to the flow of minority
carriers.
• When light falls on the PN junction the energy
is imparted by the photons to the atoms in the
junction.
• This will create more free electrons and more
holes at junction.
Contd..
• This additional charge carriers increases the
reverse current known as Photocurrent.
• The intensity of the light incident on the PN
junction increases ,the reverse current
(photocurrent) also increases.
Photo diode V-I Characteristics
Contd..
• The first curve represents the dark current
that generates due to minority carriers in the
absence of light.
• All the curve shows almost equal spacing in
between them. This is so because current
proportionally increases with the luminous
flux.
Applications
• Photodiodes majorly find its use in counters
and switching circuits.
• Photodiodes are extensively used in an optical
communication system.
• Logic circuits and encoders also make use of
photodiode.
• It is widely used in burglar alarm systems.
Advantages
• It shows a quick response when exposed to
light.
• Photodiode offers high operational speed.
• It provides a linear response.
• It is a low-cost device.
Disadvantages
• Poor temperature stability.
• When low illumination is provided, then
amplification is necessary.
Photovoltaic or Solar Cell
Solar cell-Introduction
• A solar cell (also known as a photovoltaic cell or PV
cell) is defined as an electrical device that converts
light energy into electrical energy through the
photovoltaic (photo means light and voltaic means
electricity)effect.
• A solar panel consists of numbers of solar cells
connected in series or parallel.
• The number of solar cell connected in a series
generates the desired output voltage and connected
in parallel generates the desired output current
Contd..
• The conversion of sunlight (Solar Energy) into
electric energy takes place only when the light
is falling on the cells of the solar panel.
• Solar panels are used to charge the lead acid
or Nickel-Cadmium batteries.
• The common single junction silicon solar cell
can produce a maximum open-circuit voltage
of approximately 0.5 to 0.6 volts
Solar cell-Symbol & Top View of Solar Cell
Solar cell-Construction & Working
Contd..
• When solar cell is exposed to the light the
impinging photon energy leads to generation of
electron-hole pairs.
• The incident light breaks the thermal
equilibrium condition of the junction. The free
electrons in the depletion region can quickly
come to the n-type side of the junction.
• Similarly, the holes in the depletion can quickly
come to the p-type side of the junction.
Contd..
• This accumulation of positive and negative
charge carriers constitute the open circuit
voltage (Voc).
• This voltage can cause a current to flow to an
external load or when a junction is shorted
resulted short circuit current(ISC) which is
proportional to the input light intensity.
• Typically individual solar cell delivers 0.5V to
0.6V.
Contd..
• The series combination of solar cells enhance
the desired voltage rating and parallel
combination of solar cells enhance the desired
current rating.
V-I characteristics of Solar Cell
Contd..
• The
product of open circuit voltage VOC and
short circuit current ISC is known a Ideal power.
(1)
• The maximum useful power is the area of the
largest rectangle that can be formed under the
V-I curve. If Vm and Im are the values of voltage
and current under this condition, then
(2)
Contd..
• The
ratio of the maximum useful power to
ideal power is called the fill factor.
(3)
Applications
• It may be used to charge batteries.
• Used in light meters.
• It is used to power calculators and wrist
watches.
• It can be used in spacecraft to provide
electrical energy
Advantages
• No pollution associated with it.
• It must last for a long time.
• No maintenance cost.
Disadvantages
• It has high cost of installation.
• It has low efficiency.
• During cloudy day, the energy cannot be
produced.

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