Photodiodes are semiconductor devices that convert light into an electrical current. They operate using the photoelectric effect where photons are absorbed, generating electron-hole pairs that result in a photocurrent. There are different types of photodiodes including PIN, PN, avalanche, and Schottky structures. Photodiode technology has evolved from developments in PN junction diodes in the 1940s and 1950s, with the PIN photodiode developed in 1959. Materials used include silicon and germanium.

1. CUÑADO, Jeaneth T.
GEQUINTO,Leah JaneP.
MANGARING, Meleria S.
cgmarts@ee12

2. PHOTODIODE
A photodiode is a type of photodetector capable of converting light into
either current or voltage, depending upon the mode of operation. The
common, traditional solar cell used to generate electric solar power is a
large areaphotodiode.
OPERATION
• A photodiode is designed to operate
in reverse bias.
• Photoelectric effect.
• Photocurrent.

3. HISTORY & THEORY
• Photodiode technology developments came out of
the basic developments of the PN junction diode
that started in the 1940s in earnest. Applications
for the use of the PN junction diode were found
outside the basic use of rectifying signals.
• Photodiode technology was refined in the 1950s
and in the latter part of that decade the PIN
photodiode was developed. Light absorption in the
wide depletion area of the PIN structure was first
investigated in a paper published in 1959 by
Gartner. Although silicon has been the favoured
material for photodiodes, germanium can also be
used, and its use was first demonstrated in 1962

4. MATERIALS
STRUCTURE

5. TYPES
1.PINphotodiode
2.PNphotodiode
3.Avalanche photodiode
4.Schottky photodiode
ADVANTAGES &
DISADVANTAGES
+ Advantages for the
Photodiode detector are high
NIR sensitivity and high speed.
- Disadvantages are limited
amount of pixels and no UV
response.

6. CHARACTERISTICS
Photodiodes are similar to
regular semiconductor diodes except that they
may be either exposed (to detect vacuum
UV or X-rays) or packaged with a window
or optical fiber connection to allow light to reach
the sensitive part of the device. Many diodes
designed for use specifically as a photodiode use
a PIN junction rather than a p-n junction, to
increase the speed of response.

7. CHARACTERISTICS