INTRODUCTION
Photodiodes bridge the gap between light and
electronics. Many times, precision applications (such
as CT scanners, blood analyzers, smoke detectors,
position sensors, IR pyrometers and chromatographs)
utilize the basic transimpedance amplifier circuit that
transforms light energy into a usable electrical voltage.
In these circuits, photodiodes are used to capture the
light energy and transform it into a small current. This
current is proportional to the level of illumination from
the light source. A preamplifier then converts the
current (in amperes) from the photodiode sensor into a
usable voltage level.M AN692
Using a Digital Potentiometer to Optimize a Precision
Single-Supply Photo Detection Circuit
Photodiode Characteristics
Author: Bonnie C. Baker
Microchip Technology Inc. A photodiode can be operated in the Photovoltaic or
Photoconductive mode, as shown in Figure 2.
INTRODUCTION Light
Source
Photodiodes bridge the gap between light and Light
e……
