INDEX

 INTRODUCTION
 APPLICATIONS
 AIM & APPARATUS
 THEORY
 PROCEDURE
 OBSERVATIONS
 RESULT & CONCLUSION
 SOURCES OF ERROR
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
INTRODUCTION

A photoresistor or light dependent resistor is a component

that is sensitive to light. When light falls upon it then the
resistance changes. Values of the resistance of the LDR
may change over many orders of magnitude the value of
the resistance falling as the level of light increases.

It is not uncommon for the values of resistance of an LDR

or photoresistor to be several megohms in darkness and
then to fall to a few hundred ohms in bright light. With
such a wide variation in resistance, LDRs are easy to use
and there are many LDR circuits available. The sensitivity
of light dependent resistors or photoresistors also varies
with the wavelength of the incident light.

LDRs are made from semiconductor materials to enable

them to have their light sensitive properties. Many
materials can be used, but one popular material for these
photoresistors is cadmium sulphide, CdS.
Types of Photoresistor

Light dependent resistors, LDRs or photoresistors fall into

one of two types or categories:

 Intrinsic photoresistors: Intrinsic photoresistors use

un-doped semiconductor materials including silicon or
germanium. Photons fall on the LDR excite electrons
moving them from the valence band to the conduction
band. As a result, these electrons are free to conduct
electricity. The more light that falls on the device, the
more electrons are liberated and the greater the level
of conductivity, and this results in a lower level of
resistance.
 Extrinsic photoresistors: Extrinsic photoresistors are
manufactured from semiconductor of materials doped
with impurities. These impurities or dopants create a
new energy band above the existing valence band. As a
result, electrons need less energy to transfer to the
conduction band because of the smaller energy gap.

Regardless of the type of light dependent resistor or

photoresistor, both types exhibit an increase in conductivity
or fall in resistance with increasing levels of incident light.
LDR symbol
The LDR symbol used in circuits is based around the
resistor circuit symbol, but shows th
thee light, in the form of
arrows shining on it. In this way it follows the same
convention used for photodiode and phototransistor circuit
symbols where arrows are used to show the light falling on
these components.

Circuit symbols used for the light dependent

resistor/photoresistor

Circuit symbols ls used for the light dependent Resistor

esistor/
photoresistor. The light dependent resistor/photoresistor
circuit symbols are shown for both the newer stylstylee resistor
symbol, i.e.
e. a rectagular box and the older zig
zig-zag
zag line
resistor circuit symbols.
 APPLICATIONS

Lead sulfide (PbS) and indium antimonide (InSb) LDRs

are used for the mid infrared spectral region. GeCu
photoconductors are among the best far-infrared
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
 Electronic Scales - dual cell
 Automatic Gain Control modulated light source
 Automated Rear View Mirror
Digital Applications
 Automatic Headlight Dimmer
 Night Light Control
 Oil Burner Flame Out
 Street Light Control
 Position Sensor

"LDR has a disadvantage that when its temperature

changes, its resistance changes drastically for a particular
light intensity.
 AIM & APPARATUS

AIM:
To study the variations, in current flowing in a circuit
containing a LDR, because of a variation
variation-
(a) In the power of the incandescent lamp, used to
'illuminate the LDR. (Keeping all the lamps at a fixed
distance).
(b) In the distance of a incandescent lamp, (of fixed
power), used to 'illuminate the LDR

APPARATUS:
 Light Dependent Resistor (LDR)
 Connecting Wires
 Source of different power rating (bulbs)
 Bulb Holder
 Metre scale
 Multi Meter
 Battery
 THEORY
1.) LDR and its charact
characteristics
When light is incident on it, a photon is absorbed and
thereby it excites an electron from valence band into
conduction band. Due to such new electrons coming up
in conduction band area, the electrical resistance of the
device decreases. Thus the LDR or photo-conductive
conductive
transducer has the resistance which is the inverse
function of radiation intensity.

where,
λο = threshold wavelength, in meter
meters
e = charge on one electron, in Coulombs
E = work function
n of the metal used, in Ev
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 such large energy gaps,
g
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 within a range of 520nm. Thus it can be used
nearer to the infra-red region up to 750nm. It was found
that the maximum response of CadmiumSulphoselenide
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 de
detector
tector is the relationship
relationshi
betwen
en 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 the cell.

Spectral Response
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
respon curve
or plot of the relative response of the photocell versus
wavelength of light.
 PROCEDURE

 Choose a specific position for the source and mount it

using a make sure it is stable. holder,
 Select the bulb with the lowest power rating and
connect it to the holder as shown in the figure.
 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 on.
 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 observations.
 OBSERVATIONS

The experiment has been conducted by using various

sources with different power ratings.
Voltage of the battery = 6V
 CONCLUSION & RESULT
 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 the current as the distance
from the source decreases.
 The intensity decreases as the distance from the
source increases.

SOURCES OF ERROR
 The LDR may not be perpendicular to the source.
 Connections may be faulty.
 The experiment should be conducted in a dark room.
 Measurements should be taken accurately.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
 NCERT Physics
 [Link]/elect/[Link]
 [Link]/light-dependent-resistor-ldr
 [Link]