Output Photo Current Calculator

Formula Used:

\[ \text{Photocurrent} = \frac{\eta \times P_i \times e}{h \times f} \]

Quantum Efficiency (η):

(0 to 1)

Incident Optical Power (P_i):

Watt

Frequency Of Incident Light (f):

Hertz

Photocurrent (I_p):

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1. What is the Photocurrent Formula?

The photocurrent formula calculates the electrical current produced by a photodetector when exposed to light. It relates the quantum efficiency, incident optical power, and frequency of light to the resulting photocurrent.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the photocurrent equation:

\[ I_p = \frac{\eta \times P_i \times e}{h \times f} \]

Where:

\( I_p \) — Photocurrent (Ampere)
\( \eta \) — Quantum Efficiency (0 to 1)
\( P_i \) — Incident Optical Power (Watt)
\( e \) — Charge of electron (1.60217662 × 10^-19 C)
\( h \) — Planck constant (6.626070040 × 10^-34 J·s)
\( f \) — Frequency of Incident Light (Hertz)

Explanation: The formula calculates the number of electrons generated per photon and converts this to electrical current.

3. Importance of Photocurrent Calculation

Details: Accurate photocurrent calculation is crucial for designing optical communication systems, photodetectors, and light-sensitive electronic devices.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter quantum efficiency (0-1), incident optical power in watts, and frequency in hertz. All values must be positive, with quantum efficiency between 0 and 1.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is quantum efficiency?
A: Quantum efficiency represents the probability that a photon incident on the photodetector will generate an electron-hole pair, leading to photocurrent.

Q2: Why does frequency affect photocurrent?
A: Higher frequency light has more energy per photon, which affects the energy conversion process in the photodetector.

Q3: What are typical photocurrent values?
A: Photocurrent values range from picoamperes to milliamperes depending on the light intensity and detector characteristics.

Q4: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation provides theoretical maximum photocurrent assuming ideal conditions. Real-world values may vary due to various factors.

Q5: Can this be used for all photodetectors?
A: This formula works for most semiconductor photodetectors, but specialized detectors may have different response characteristics.