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Physics

(1) LDRs are semiconductors whose conductivity changes proportionally with light intensity; cadmium sulfide and cadmium selenide are common materials used. (2) LDR resistance decreases with increasing light intensity, allowing more current to flow. (3) Applications include camera light meters, photocopying, and automatic controls for street lights and headlights.

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55 views14 pages

Physics

(1) LDRs are semiconductors whose conductivity changes proportionally with light intensity; cadmium sulfide and cadmium selenide are common materials used. (2) LDR resistance decreases with increasing light intensity, allowing more current to flow. (3) Applications include camera light meters, photocopying, and automatic controls for street lights and headlights.

Uploaded by

sandhysandhya12345
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INTRODUCTION

The general purpose photoconductive cell is also


known as LDR light dependent resistor. It is a type of
semiconductor and its conductivity changes with
proportional change in the intensity of light. There are
two common types of materials used to manufacture the
photoconductive cells. They are Cadmium Sulphide
(CdS) and Cadmium Selenide (CdSe). Extrinsic devices
have impurities added, which have a ground state energy
closer to the conduction band- since the electrons do not
have as far to jump, lower energy photons (i.e. longer
wavelengths and lower frequencies) are sufficient to
trigger the device. Two of its earliest applications were
as part of smoke and fire detection systems and camera
light meters. The structure is covered with glass sheet to
protect it from moisture and dust and alloys only light to
fall on it.
AIM:
To study the variations in current flowing in a circuit
containing an LDR because of a variation in
a) the power of the incandescent lamp, used to
‘illuminate' the LDR (keeping all the lamps at a
fixed distance.
b) the distance of a incandescent lamp (of fixed power)
used to ‘illuminate' the LDR.

MATERIALS REQUIRED:
> Light dependent resistor (LDR)
> Connecting wire
> Bulbs
> Bulb holder
> Meter scale
> Multi meter
> Battery
THEORY:
• LDR and its characteristics
When light is incident on it, a photon is absorbed
thereby it excites an electron from valence band into
conduction band. Due to such new in condition 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.

λο =threshold wavelengths
e =charge of electron
Ew= work function of the metal
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 is 1.74eV. Due to 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 with in a range of 520nm. This it can be user
nearer to the infra-red region up to 750nm. It was found
that the maximum response of Cadmium Sulpho-
selenide 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 a 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 of plot of the relative response of the photocell
versus wavelength of light.
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:

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.
 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.
 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 the
observations.

OBSERVATIONS:
The experiment has been conducted by using
various sources with different power ratings.
Voltage of the battery = 6V
APPLICATIONS:
Lead sulfide (Pbs) and indium antimonide (InSb)
LDRs are used for the mid infrared spectral region.
GeCu photoconductors are among the best farinfrared
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
 Electronics Scales- dual cell
 Automatic Gain Control- modulated light
source
 Automated Rear View Mirror
 Digital Applications
 Automatic Headlight Summer
 Night Light Control
 Oil Burner Flame Out
 Street Light Control
 Position Sensor
CONCLUSION:
 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 current as the distance
from the source decreases.
 The intensity decreases as the distance from
the
source increases.
PRECAUTIONS:
 No stay light should fall on the LDR.
 It is better to work at the dark room.
 Connect LDR carefully to the voltage storage.
 All the connections should be made tight.
 LDR is placed normally to the light source
so that angle of incidence of light rays remain
constant and normal throughout the experiment.
SOURCES OF ERROR:
 The LDR may not be perpendicular to the
source.
 Connections may be faulty.
 Experiment should be conducted in a dark
room.
 Measurements should be taken accurately.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
 NCERT class-12 Physics
 https://en.wikipedia.org
 www.google.com

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