UNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN

Faculty Courses Year Session : : : : Faculty of Engineering and Science 3E, EC, Physics Year 3 and Year 4 Jan 2011 Unit Code Unit Title Lecturer : : : UEEA 3373 Optics & Optoelectronics Dr. Chong Kok Keong

Experiment 2:
(a) Electro-Optic Time Constant
To measure the electro-optic time constant of a LED, square wave is applied to the driver (bias) circuit and measure the time constant of the signal from the detection circuit (Figure 2). The time constant () is the time taken by the output signal to rise from 0% to 63% of its final value. This gives us the value of the LED time constant, since the time constant of the photodetector is much smaller (~20 ns). Cut-off frequency (fc) of the LED also can be determined from the sine wave input, where fc = 1/(2) where fc is the 3 dB frequency (70.7% of maximal value)

Figure 2 Time Constant Measurement

Equipment and Components Oscilloscope, DC power supply (2), Multi meter, Function generator, Infrared Emitting Diode (SE5470), Photodiode (BPW 34 FA), Resistors (1001, 1M1, 470k1), Diode (1N4002)

Experiment Procedures

1. Setup the circuit as shown in Figure 3. 2. Adjust the square wave generator for a 3V peak amplitude and 10 KHz. 3. Observe the photodiode output (Vout) with the oscilloscope using a short and low capacitance coax cable. Measure the time constant (refer to Figure 2), and calculate the cutoff frequency fc . Also, sketch the profile and parameters of the scope waveform in your lab notes. 4. Now, adjust the generator for a sine wave 3V peak amplitude at 10KHz. 5. Measure the photodiode output (Vout) with the oscilloscope. The 10KHz will be the reference (0dB) value. Increase the frequency until an attenuation of 3 dB output obtained. This is the measured cutoff frequency fc. 6. Now, calculate the time constant . Sketch the profile and parameters of the scope waveform in your lab notes.

Figure 3: Electro Optic Time Constant Measurement

(b)

Dark Current

The photodiode dark current is the current that continues flow through the bias circuit of the device when no light is incident on the photodiode. This is a combination of bulk and surface current. The bulk current arises from electrons and/or holes which are thermally generated in the pn junction of the photodiode. The surface dark current is also referred to as a surface leakage current or simply leakage current. It is dependent on surface defects, cleanliness, bias voltage and surface area. Equipment and Components DC power supply (2), Multi meter, Infrared Emitting Diode (SE5470), Photodiode (BPW 34 FA), Resistors (1M1, 470k1) Experimental Procedures 1. Construct the circuit as shown in Figure 4 2. Measure the offset voltage (Vout) before attaching the photodiode. Then attach the photodiode and its biasing circuit. Make sure that the polarity of the voltage supply is correct to prevent damage on the photodiode. 3. Close the photodiode (no incident optical power) and vary the voltage supply, V1 between 2 to 15 V in steps of 1 V. 4. Measure the dark current Idark, (Vout/R1) as a function of the applied reverse bias. Plot Idark versus V1. 5. Estimate the minimum detectable power for the photodiode at 12 V reverse bias by assuming the responsivity is 0.65 A/W.

Figure 4 Dark Current Measurement (C)

Determination of Responsivity

Sensitivity or Responsivity (R) refers to the amount of induced photocurrent generated by the photodetector in response to the incoming optical excitation. For a given detector construction, sensitivity varies as a function of wavelength. At short wavelengths, quantum efficiency is low, since absorption occurs very close to the surface and the induced photocarriers recombine very quickly in the N+ region and consequently are not collected. At long wavelengths, the layer thickness is too small for complete absorption. Equipment and Components DC power supply (2), Multi meter, Infrared Emitting Diode (SE5470), Photodiode (BPW 34 FA), Resistors (1M1, 470k1), Potentiometer Experimental Procedures 1. Replace the light source circuit in Figure 1(a) from Experiment 1 with the circuit as shown in Figure 5. 2. Tune the potentiometer until 10mA is obtained through the ammeter. (The emitted light intensity is 3.5 mW/cm2 at ID=10mA) 3. Compute the current generated by the photodetector, Iph by assuming the op amp is an ideal op amp. 4. Determine the responsivity and the quantum efficiency of the photodetector at wavelength of 880nm (photosensitive area of the photodiode = 2.65mm2.65mm).

Ammeter

Figure 5 Transmission Circuit