Physics Electronics PMDC Conceptual Practice
PMDC Verified Question 318 of 494
The responsivity (\( \mathcal{R} \)) of a photodiode is defined as the ratio of generated photocurrent to incident optical power (\( \mathcal{R} = I_{\text{photo}} / P_{\text{opt}} \)). For an ideal detector with 100% quantum efficiency (\( \eta = 1.0 \)) operating at wavelength \( \lambda \), responsivity is given by:
A
\(\mathcal{R} = \frac{hf}{q}\)
B
\(\mathcal{R} = \frac{q}{hc\lambda}\)
C
\(\mathcal{R} = \frac{q\lambda}{hc}\)
D
\(\mathcal{R} = \frac{hc}{q\lambda}\)
Tap any option to test your recall and reveal the step-by-step Propolis autopsy.

Propolis Cognitive Error Autopsy

Official Correct Choice:
Option C: \(\mathcal{R} = \frac{q\lambda}{hc}\)
Concept:

Responsivity \( \mathcal{R} \) relates optical power input to electrical current output based on photon energy: \( E_{\text{photon}} = \frac{h c}{\lambda} \).

Formula:

$$\mathcal{R} = \frac{I_{\text{photo}}}{P_{\text{opt}}} = \frac{\eta q \left(\frac{P_{\text{opt}}}{h f}\right)}{P_{\text{opt}}} = \frac{\eta q}{h f} = \frac{\eta q \lambda}{h c}$$

Solution:

  • Each incident photon carries energy \( E = \frac{h c}{\lambda} \).


  • The photon arrival rate is \( \Phi = \frac{P_{\text{opt}}}{h c / \lambda} = \frac{P_{\text{opt}} \lambda}{h c} \).


  • Assuming \( 100\% \) quantum efficiency (\( \eta = 1 \)), the generated current is \( I = q \Phi = \frac{q P_{\text{opt}} \lambda}{h c} \).


  • Dividing current by optical power gives \( \mathcal{R} = \frac{q \lambda}{h c} \).


Why other options are incorrect:

  • Option A: \( hf/q \) has units of Volts, not Amperes/Watt.
  • Option B: \( \lambda \) belongs in the numerator because longer wavelengths contain more photons per watt.
  • Option D: This inverts the photon energy ratio.

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