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PHOTORESISTOR Introduction

A photoresistor, or light dependent resistor (LDR), is a component whose resistance decreases with increasing light intensity. LDRs are made from semiconductor materials and their resistance can range from megohms in darkness to hundreds of ohms in bright light. There are two main types of LDRs: intrinsic, which use undoped materials like silicon, and extrinsic, which use doped materials. LDRs are used in applications like automatic lights, cameras, and more to control circuits based on light levels.

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423 views12 pages

PHOTORESISTOR Introduction

A photoresistor, or light dependent resistor (LDR), is a component whose resistance decreases with increasing light intensity. LDRs are made from semiconductor materials and their resistance can range from megohms in darkness to hundreds of ohms in bright light. There are two main types of LDRs: intrinsic, which use undoped materials like silicon, and extrinsic, which use doped materials. LDRs are used in applications like automatic lights, cameras, and more to control circuits based on light levels.

Uploaded by

Manickam Thechamp
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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INTRODUCTION

A photoresistor or light dependent resistor is a component that is sensitive to


light. When light falls upon it then the resistance changes. Values of the
resistance of the LDR may change over many orders of magnitude the value
of the resistance falling as the level of light increases.

It is not uncommon for the values of resistance of an LDR or photoresistor to


be several megohms in darkness and then to fall to a few hundred ohms in
bright light. With such a wide variation in resistance, LDRs are easy to use
and there are many LDR circuits available. The sensitivity of light dependent
resistors or photoresistors also varies with the wavelength of the incident
light.

LDRs are made from semiconductor materials to enable them to have their
light sensitive properties. Many materials can be used, but one popular
material for these photoresistors is cadmium sulphide, CdS.

Types of photoresistor
Light dependent resistors, LDRs or photoresistors fall into one of two types or
categories:

 Intrinsic photoresistors: Intrinsic photoresistors use un-doped


semiconductor materials including silicon or germanium. Photons fall
on the LDR excite electrons moving them from the valence band to the
conduction band. As a result, these electrons are free to conduct
electricity. The more light that falls on the device, the more electrons are
liberated and the greater the level of conductivity, and this results in a
lower level of resistance.
 Extrinsic photoresistors: Extrinsic photoresistors are manufactured
from semiconductor of materials doped with impurities. These
impurities or dopants create a new energy band above the existing
valence band. As a result, electrons need less energy to transfer to the
conduction band because of the smaller energy gap.
Regardless of the type of light dependent resistor or photoresistor, both types
exhibit an increase in conductivity or fall in resistance with increasing levels
of incident light.

LDR symbol
The LDR symbol used in circuits is based around the resistor circuit symbol,
but shows the light, in the form of arrows shining on it. In this way it follows
the same convention used for photodiode and phototransistor circuit symbols
where arrows are used to show the light falling on these components.
Circuit symbols used for the light dependent resistor/ photoresistor

The light dependent resistor / photoresistor circuit symbols are shown for
both the newer style symbol, i.e. a rectangular box and the older zig-zag line
resistor circuit symbols.
Applications

Lead sulfide (PbS) and indium antimonide (InSb) LDRs are used for the mid
infrared spectral region. GeCu photoconductors are among the best far-
infrared detectors available, and are used for infrared astronomy and infrared
spectroscopy.

Analog Applications

 Camera Exposure Control


 Auto Slide Focus - dual cell
 Photocopy Machines - density of toner
 Colorimetric Test Equipment
 Densitometer
 Electronic Scales - dual cell
 Automatic Gain Control – modulated light source
 Automated Rear View Mirror

Digital Applications

 Automatic Headlight Dimmer


 Night Light Control
 Oil Burner Flame Out
 Street Light Control
 Position Sensor

*LDR has a disadvantage that when its temperature changes, its resistance
changes drastically for a particular light intensity.
AIM & APPARATUS

AIM:

To study the variations, in current flowing in a circuit containing a LDR,


because of a variation:-
(a) In the power of the incandescent lamp, used to ‘illuminate’ the LDR.
(Keeping all the lamps at a fixed distance).
(b) In the distance of a incandescent lamp, (of fixed power), used to
‘illuminate’ the LDR.

APPARATUS:

 Light Dependent Resistor (LDR)


 Connecting Wires
 Source of different power rating
(bulbs)
 Bulb Holder
 Metre scale
 Multi Meter
 Battery
THEORY

LDR and its characteristics

When light is incident on it, a photon is absorbed and thereby it excites an


electron from valence band into conduction band. Due to such new electrons
coming up in conduction band area, the electrical resistance of the device
decreases. Thus the LDR or photo-conductive transducer has the resistance
which is the inverse function of radiation intensity.

λ0 = threshold wavelength, in meters


e = charge on one electron, in Coulombs Ew

= work function of the metal used, in Ev

Here we must note that any radiation with wavelength greater than the value
obtained in above equation CANNOT PRODUCE any change in the resistance
of this device.
The band gap energy of Cadmium Sulphide is 2.42eV and for Cadmium
Selenide it is1.74eV. Due to such large energy gaps, both the materials have
extremely high resistivity at room temperature such large energy gaps, both
the materials have extremely high resistivity at room temperature.

Characteristics of photoconductive cells

Now when the device is kept in darkness, its resistance is called as dark
resistance. This resistance is typically of the order of 1013 ohms. When light
falls on it, its resistance decreases up to several kilo ohms or even hundreds of
ohms, depending on the intensity of light, falling on it.
The spectral response characteristics of two commercial cells were compared
in our laboratory. And we found that there is almost no response to the
radiation of a wavelength which was shorter than 300nm. It was very

interesting to note that the Cadmium Sulphide cell has a peak response
nearer or within the green color of the spectrum within a range of 520nm.
Thus it can be used nearer to the infra-red region up to 750nm. It was found
that the maximum response of Cadmium Sulphoselenide is in the yellow-
orange range at 615nm and also it can be used in the infra-red region up to
about 970nm.

Sensitivity:

The sensitivity of a photo detector is the relationship between the light falling
on the device and the resulting output signal. In the case of a photocell, one is
dealing with the relationship between the incident light and the
corresponding resistance of the cell.
Spectral Response

Like the human eye, the relative sensitivity of a photoconductive cell is


dependent on the wavelength (color) of the incident light. Each
photoconductor material type has its own unique spectral response curve or
plot of the relative response of the photocell versus wavelength of light.
PROCEDURE

 Choose a specific position for the source and mount it using a holder,
make sure it is stable.
 Select the bulb with the lowest power rating and connect it to the holder
as shown in the figure.
 Connect the LDR, battery(6V) and the multimeter in series.
 Set the multimeter to ohm section and select suitable range and measure
the resistance with a bulb on.
 Similarly switch to current section and move to micro ampere in the
multimeter. This gives the value of the current.
 Repeat these steps with different power sources at different distances
and note down observations.
OBSERVATIONS

The experiment has been conducted by using various sources with different
power ratings. Voltage of the battery = 6 V

1.) 15 watts (yellow) (wavelength = 570nm)

Serial DISTANCE RESISTANCE CURRENT


No FROM (Kilo ohm) (micro ampere)
SOURCE
(cm)

1. 50 142.5 40
2. 40 69 80
3. 30 41 150
4. 20 21 300

2.) 15 watts (incandescent) (mean wavelength = 610nm

Serial DISTANCE RESISTANCE CURRENT


No FROM (Kilo ohm) (micro ampere)
SOURCE
(cm)
1. 50 51 120
2. 40 35 170
3. 30 22 270
4. 20 11 540
3.) 40 watts (incandescent) (mean wavelength = 610nm)

Serial DISTANCE RESISTANCE CURRENT


No FROM (Kilo ohm) (micro ampere)
SOURCE
(cm)
1. 50 20 300
2. 40 13 460
3. 30 8.5 700
4. 20 4.5 1330

4.) 20 watts (CFL) (white light)

Serial DISTANCE RESISTANCE CURRENT


No FROM (Kilo ohm) (micro ampere)
SOURCE
(cm)
1. 50 15.5 380
2. 40 10 600
3. 30 6 1000
4. 20 3 2000
CONCLUSION & RESULT

 The LDR resistance decreases with increase in intensity of light and


hence there is an increase in the flow of current.
 There is an increase in the current as the distance from the source
decreases.
 The intensity decreases as the distance from the source increases.

SOURCES OF ERROR

 The LDR may not be perpendicular to the source.


 Connections may be faulty.
 The experiment should be conducted in a dark room.
 Measurements should be taken accurately.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

 NCERT Physics
 www.technologystudent.com/elec1/ldr1.htm
 www.electrical4u.com/light-dependent-resistor-ldr-working-principle-
of-ldr/
 https://www.electronics-
notes.com/articles/electronic_components/resistors/light-dependent-
resistor-ldr.php

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