Detector Responsivity
Interactive responsivity calculator from quantum efficiency and wavelength, with presets and wavelength sweeps.
Responsivity
1.0001 A/W
η = 1 limit 1.2502 A/W
Photons per watt
7.803e+18 /s
Current @ 1 mW
1000.1 µA
ℛ = η·q·λ / (h·c) = η · λ[µm] / 1.23984 A/W
At fixed quantum efficiency the responsivity rises linearly with wavelength, because each watt carries more photons. Without internal gain η ≤ 1, so a datasheet responsivity above the η = 1 line is impossible for a PIN photodiode. Real detectors have η(λ) that falls at short and long wavelengths; see the spectral-response page.
Responsivity vs wavelength
- η = 0.8
- η = 1 (limit)
- Current point
Model and references
Exact. The equations are exact within the stated assumptions, or are a standard's tabulated values. The results are as good as the inputs. About the tiers
ℛ = η·q·λ/(h·c) with exact SI constants, for a wavelength-independent η and no internal gain.
- Saleh B. E. A., Teich M. C. (1991). Fundamentals of Photonics. Wiley. §17.1 Quantum efficiency and responsivity, ℛ = η·λ₀/1.24 (λ₀ in µm). doi:10.1002/0471213748
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