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Photonics Dictionary

phototransistor

A phototransistor is a type of semiconductor device that converts light energy into electrical signals. Similar to a regular transistor, it consists of a semiconductor material (such as silicon) with three terminals: collector, emitter, and base. However, in a phototransistor, light incident on the semiconductor creates electron-hole pairs, which influence the conductivity of the semiconductor material. This change in conductivity leads to a corresponding change in the flow of current between the collector and emitter terminals, effectively converting light into an electrical signal. Phototransistors are commonly used in various applications such as light detection, optical communication, and sensing. They offer advantages such as high sensitivity, fast response times, and low cost compared to some other types of light detectors.

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