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Using a Digital Potentiometer to Optimize a Precision Single Supply Photo Detect

From Microchip Technology, Inc.
 

 
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 to 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.
Product Announcements
Hamamatsu Corporation USA - Silicon Photodiodes
Photodiodes are semiconductors that generate a current or voltage when illuminated by light. They have no internal gain, but can operate at much higher light levels than other detectors. Hamamatsu Si... (read more)
Advanced Photonix, Inc.® - Hybrid Silicon Detector & Transimpedance Amplifier
Silicon (Si) photodiodes can be coupled with a low noise preamplifier chip in the same package. This configuration makes them highly resistant to external noise & suitable for compact circuit... (read more)
Melexis, Inc. - Integrated Light Sensor Exceeds 15 Year Lifetime
The MLX75305 Light-to-Voltage SensorEyeCTM is an integrated sensor IC specifically designed for high volume automotive, industrial and consumer applications. The light sensor's output gives a voltage... (read more)
Electro Optics Technology, Inc. - >10GHz GaAs & InGaAs Detectors
Applications: Monitoring the output of externally modulated cw lasers and mode-locked lasers... (read more)
Hamamatsu Corporation USA - InGaAs avalanche photodiode
Hamamatsu Corporation has introduced the G8931-20, an InGaAs avalanche photodiode with a large, 0.2 mm diameter active area and high-speed response of 0.9 GHz. The device is suitable for applications... (read more)
Advanced Photonix, Inc.® - Single Element Silicon Pin Photodiodes
These Planar diffused photodiodes are designed for either photoconductive (low capacitance, high speed applications) or photovoltaic operation (low noise, DC applications). (read more)
CVI Melles Griot - Photodiodes, Integrating Spheres and Amplifiers
Melles Griot offers a wide selection of mounted silicon and PIN photodiodes, along with amplifiers, integrating spheres, and accessories, which can be assembled to meet specific laboratory... (read more)
 
Topics of Interest
4.4 Signal Conditioning High Impedance Sensors Many popular sensors have output impedances greater than several M ?, and the associated signal conditioning circuitry must be carefully designed to... (Read More)
Increased functionality and integration are driving strong growth in the OEM applications for these critical photonic components. Silicon photodiodes are used to convert light into an electrical... (Read More)
The automotive industry is increasingly using photodiodes in order to provide greater levels of automation and product sophistication, from automatic power windows to "drive-by-wire" cars of the... (Read More)
Light detectors perform the opposite function of light emitters. Emitters, as we already know, are electro-optic devices. They convert electrical pulses into light pulses. Detectors are opto-electric... (Read More)
The purpose of any photodetector is to convert electro-magnetic radiation into an electronic signal - ideally one that is proportional to incident light intensity. Because they are compact, versatile... (Read More)