Современная наука активно развивается в самых different directions, trying to cover all possible potentially useful areas of activity. Among all this, it is necessary to isolate optoelectronic devices, which are used both in the process of data transmission, and their storage or processing. They are used almost everywhere, where more or less sophisticated technology is used.
What it is?
Under optoelectronic devices, which alsoknown as optocouplers, understand special semiconductor devices that can send and receive radiation. These elements of the construction are named photodetector and light emitter. They can have different options for communication among themselves. The principle of functioning of such products is based on the transformation of electricity into light, as well as the reverse of this reaction. As a consequence, one device can send a certain signal, and the other one accepts and "decrypts." Optoelectronic devices are used in:
- communication units of equipment;
- input circuits of measuring devices;
- high-voltage and high-current circuits;
- powerful thyristors and triacs;
- relay devices and so on.
All such products can be classified into several basic groups, depending on their individual components, design or other factors. About this below.
Emitter
Optoelectronic devices and devices are equipped with signal transmission systems. They are called radiators and, depending on the type, the products are divided as follows:
- Laser and light-emitting diodes. Such elements are among the most universal.They are characterized by high efficiency, a very narrow beam spectrum (this parameter is also known as quasi-chromaticity), a sufficiently wide range of operation, maintenance of a clear radiation direction and very high speed of operation. Devices with similar radiators work very long and extremely reliably, differ in small sizes and perfectly show themselves in the field of microelectronic models.
- Electroluminescent cells. Such an element of construction shows not particularlyhigh conversion quality parameter and does not work too long. In this case, the devices are very difficult to manage. However, they are best suited for photoresistors and can be used to create multi-element, multi-functional structures. Nevertheless, due to their shortcomings, now radiators of this type are used quite rarely, only when they really can not be dispensed with.
- Neon lamps. Return light of these models is relatively low, and they do not withstand damage and do not work long. Differ in large sizes. They are used extremely rarely, in certain types of instruments.
- Incandescent lamps. Such radiators are used only in resistor equipment and nowhere else.
As a result, LED and laser models are optimally suited for almost all areas of activity and only in some areas where it is otherwise impossible, other options are used.
Photodetector
The classification of optoelectronic devices is also made according to the type of this part of the design. Various types of products can be used as the receiving element.
- Photo thyristors, transistors and diodes. All of them belong to universal devices,capable of working with an open type transition. Most often, silicon is the basis of the design and because of this the products receive a rather wide range of sensitivity.
- Photoresistors. This is the only alternative, the mainthe advantage of which is the modification of the properties in a very complicated manner. This helps to realize all possible mathematical models. Unfortunately, photoresistors are inertial, which significantly reduces the scope of their application.
Прием луча – это один из самых базовых элементов any such device. Only after it can be received, further processing begins, and it will not be possible if the connection quality is not high enough. As a consequence, the design of the photodetector is given great attention.
Optical channel
Features of the design of products can be goodshow the used designation system for photoelectronic and optoelectronic devices. Including this applies to the data transmission channel. There are three main options:
- The elongated channel. The photodetector in such a model is distant enougha serious distance from the optical channel, forming a special light guide. It is this version of the design that is actively used in computer networks for active data transmission.
- Closed channel. This type of construction uses a specialprotection. It perfectly protects the channel from external influences. Models are used for the galvanic isolation system. This is a fairly new and promising technology, now continuously improving and gradually replacing the electromagnetic relays.
- The open channel. This design implies an air gap between the photodetector and the radiator. Models are used in diagnostic systems or various sensors.
The spectral range
From the point of view of this indicator, all types of optoelectronic devices can be divided into two types:
- Middle range. The wavelength in this case ranges from 0.8-1.2 microns. Most often, such a system is used in devices using an open channel.
- Far range. Here the wavelength is already 0.4-0.75 microns. It is used in most types of other products of this type.
Design
According to this indicator, optoelectronic devices are divided into three groups:
- Special. This includes devices equipped with multiple emitters and photo detectors, presence, position, smoke detectors, and so on.
- Integral. Such models additionally use special logic circuits, comparators, amplifiers and other devices. Among other things, the outputs and entrances of them are galvanically isolated.
- Elementary. Это самый простой вариант изделий, в которых the receiver and emitter are present only in one copy. They can be both thyristor and transistor, diode, resistive, and in general, any other.
All three groups can be used in devices.or each separately. Structural elements play a significant role and directly affect the functionality of the product. At the same time, complex equipment can use even the simplest, elementary varieties, if appropriate. But the opposite is also true.
Optoelectronic devices and their application
In terms of the use of devices, they can all be divided into 4 categories:
- Integrated Circuits Used in a variety of devices.The principle is used between different structural elements with the help of separate parts that are isolated from each other. This does not allow the components to interact in any way other than that provided by the developer.
- Insulation. In this case, special optical resistor pairs, their diode, thyristor or transistor variants, and so on are used.
- Transform. This is one of the most common use cases. In it, the current is transformed into light and is applied in this way. A simple example is all kinds of lamps.
- Reverse transform This is a completely opposite version in which light is transformed into a current. Used to create all kinds of receivers.
In fact, it’s hard to imagineany device running on electricity and devoid of any version of the optoelectronic components. They may be presented in small quantities, but will still be present.
Outcomes
All optoelectronic devices, thyristors, diodes,Semiconductor devices are structural elements of various types of equipment. They allow a person to receive light, transmit information, process or even store it.
