This product is discontinued
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The PIN20 photo-detector is a general purpose device, but it is specially suitable for electro-optic characterization of liquid crystals in combination with microscopy. The light sensitive component is a silicon PIN photo-diode that makes a good compromise between sensitivity and speed. As opposed to a photo-multiplier, such a diode can easily handle high light-intensity levels used in microscopy. The photo current from the detector is processed in a high speed operational amplifier and then fed to a line driver that can handle a standard 50 ohm coaxial cable without degradation of the detector data. Sensitivity and frequency-limit optimization is possible by means of external load resistance.
The output voltage from the device is given by:
where:
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is the light intensity at the detector diode, |
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is the detector responsivity factor, |
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is the load resistance (1 kohm ÷ 100 kohm), and |
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is the gain factor (G =100). |
The unit is mounted in a stable metal cabinet which gives excellent screening. It is easily mounted on standard microscopes (with external camera connection) using Spindler & Hoyer opto-mechanical building blocks. It is also fully compatible with the Spindler & Hoyer optical bench system. The power supply is contained in a box separated from the detector housing.
page revised January 22, 2008
