Department of Technical Education

Andhra Pradesh
Name
: M. N. Sri Lakshmi
Designation
: Lecturer
Branch
: Electronics & Communication Engg.
Institute
: G.P.W, Nandigama
Year/Semester : 6th Semester
Subject
: Industrial Electronics
Subject Code
: EC-602
Topic
: Opto Electronics
Duration
: 50minutes
Subtopic
: Photoconductive Cells
Teaching Aids : Animations, photographs
EC602.13

Objectives
On the completion of this topic, you would be able
to
Understand the principle and working of photo conductive
cell.

EC602.13

Recap
In the previous class, you have learnt about
The construction and working of photo voltaic cell.
The basic function of photo constructive cell.

EC602.13

Introduction
Photo conducting cell is basically a light dependent
resistor made of some semiconductor material.

EC602.13

Working of photo conductive cell

It works on the principle that the resistance of certain
semiconductor materials decreases when exposed
to radiations (both visible and invisible).
When radiations of sufficient energy strike the
surface of such photosensitive materials, they cause
the electrons within the material to break away from
their atoms.
Thus free electrons and holes are created within the
material, resulting in increased conductivity.
EC602.13

Construction of cadmium sulphide cell

Fig .1

EC602.13

 Cadmium sulphide cell is the photo conductive cell most

widely used.
On an insulating substrate, a thin layer of cadmium sulphide
is deposited.
This coating also contains some impurities like antimony,
silver, indium nitrate etc.,
The added impurities increases the efficiency of the device.
Ohmic contacts are made at the two ends.
EC602.13

Working of photo conductive cell

When external voltage v is applied to the cell photo
current I flows in the circuit.
This photo current is very is when the incident light is
zero

Fig .2

Cd S Photo conductive cell

EC602.13

Working of Photo conductive cell

The photo current increases linearly with the intensity
of illumination.
The cell offers very high resistance when it is not
illuminated.
The cell offers very less resistance about 10 when
it is fully exposed to bright light.

EC602.13

Summary
Photo conductive cell is basically a light dependent resistor.

It works on the principle that the resistance of certain semi

conductor materials decreases when they are exposed to
light.

Cadmium sulphide cell is the most widely used photo

conductive cell.

EC602.13

10

QUIZ
1) Photo conductive devices are made of a
a) semiconductor material
b) radioactive material
c) highly conductive material
d) highly insulating material

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11

QUIZ
2) The conduction in photoelectric devices is
controlled by
a) an external source of electric supply
b) photo generated electron hole pairs
c) photo bombardment
d) the extra energy imparted owing to heating.

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12

Frequently asked questions

1. Explain the constructional details of photo conductive cell.

2. Explain the working of photo conductive cell?

EC602.13

13