A light-sensitive device made from the junction of two differently doped species of a semiconductor such as silicon Also known as a pn junction An internal electric field is generated at the junction of p and n type material Photons absorbed in the junction create electron-hole pairs which are separated by the field and create a current
A semiconductor diode that produces, as a result of the absorption of photons, (a) a photovoltage or (b) free carriers that support the conduction of photocurrent Note: Photodiodes are used for the detection of optical communication signals and for the conversion of optical power to electrical power
A semiconductor diode that is designed to produce photocurrent by absorbing light Photodiodes are used to detect optical power and for the conversion of optical power into electrical power