Chapter 22. phototransistor

What It Does

A phototransistor is a transistor controlled by exposure to light. (Transistors are described in Volume 1.) It can be either a bipolar transistor or field-effect transistor (FET), and its body is often superficially similar in appearance to a 3mm or 5mm photodiode or LED indicator encased in resin or plastic. (LED indicators are described in Volume 2.) However, some phototransistors are encased in a metal shell with a window in it.

The window or the plastic body is either transparent to visible light, or may ...

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