# How much slower does a photodiode become in photovoltaic mode?

Take for example this photodiode, the main differences between using it in photovoltaic and photoconductive mode is the rise time and the Dark Current, aren't they?.

I know exactly how the Dark Current will change depending on the bias voltage, but, what about the Rise Time?, how can I know how it changes as I increase the voltage?.

All of this is because I'm trying to find out in which mode should I use the diodes.

• Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat. Any conclusions reached should be edited back into the question and/or any answers. – Dave Tweed Mar 2 '19 at 21:32
• For slow low emissive events consider low noise linear PV mode, and for fast ionizing or burst events, use TIA mode with integration.and low in pA bias then auto dump C before saturation and count integration resets for extreme wide Relaxation Oscillator frequency and thus input dynamic range – Tony Stewart EE75 Mar 4 '19 at 22:22

The open cct voltage Voc with an infinite load R but except for extremely low light levels, Voc is nearly constant. PV mode is used for extremely low steady light level measurements.

Since PV mode is high impedance and diode has maximum capacitance at 0V (Terminal capacitance in pF) this leads to a relatively slow RC time constant. It also reduces with reverse voltage bias, $$\V_R\$$.

e.g. V/I diode output in PV mode means very high Z and the relatively high RC time constant.

e.g. VI curves for S2387-66R = 1pA @10mV and ΔV/ΔI ~ 1e-2/1e-12= 1e10 Ω=10GΩ

Specs indicate 5 GΩ typ. for each sensor @ Vr=10mV. which agrees with curves.

from we expect with 1k load $$\BW_{-3dB}= 0.35/t_R= 35kHz\$$

So TIA is needed with Vr max to obtain max BW with Feedback cap conjugate matching required to flatten response.

PC mode is in between speed with Rs as a series-shunt load between Vcc & 0V return.

Photovoltaic mode               Photoconductive mode
=================               ========================================
Zero bias                       Reverse bias to reduce diode capacitance
No "dark" current               Has "dark" current
Linear                          Nonlinear
Low noise (i.e. Johnson)        Higher noise (i.e. Johnson, Shot)
Used in precision applications  Used in high speed applications


simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab

• The OP is asking "how much", from a datasheet that does not list the relevant changes in device parameters with voltage. – TimWescott Mar 2 '19 at 19:56
• No P/N was specified @TimWescott – Tony Stewart EE75 Mar 2 '19 at 20:18