An ideal photo-diode of unit quantum efficiency, at room temperature, is illuminated with 8 mW of radiation at 0.65 µm wavelength. Calculate the current and voltage output when the detector is used in the photo-conductive and photovoltaic modes respectively. The reverse saturation current (Is) is 9 nA.

I = 4.189 mA    V = 0.338 V

Explanation:

In order to do this, we need to apply the following expression:

I = Is[exp^(qV/kT) - 1]   (1)

However, as the junction of the diode is illuminated, the above expression changes to:

I = Iopt + Is[exp^(qV/kT) - 1]   (2)

Now, as the shunt resistance becomes infinite while the current becomes zero, we can say that the leakage current is small, and so:

I ≅ Iopt

Therefore:

I ≅ I₀Aλq / hc  (3)

Where:

I₀A = Area of diode (radiation)

λ: wavelength

q: electron charge (1.6x10⁻¹⁹ C)

h: Planck constant (6.62x10⁻³⁴ m² kg/s)

c: speed of light (3x10⁸ m/s)

Replacing all these values, we can get the current:

I = (8x10⁻³) * (0.65x10⁻⁶) * (1.6x10⁻¹⁹) / (6.62x10⁻³⁴) * (3x10⁸)

I = 4.189x10⁻³ A or 4.189 mA

Now that we have the current, we just need to replace this value into the expression (2) and solve for the voltage:

I = Is[exp^(qV/kT) - 1]

k: boltzman constant (1.38x10⁻²³ J/K)

4.189x10⁻³ = 9x10⁻⁹ [exp(1.6x10⁻¹⁹ V / 1.38x10⁻²³ * 300) - 1]

4.189x10⁻³ / 9x10⁻⁹ = [exp(38.65V) - 1]

465,444.44 + 1  = exp(38.65V)

ln(465,445.44) = 38.65V

13.0508 = 38.65V

V = 0.338 V