Anyone tried this wavelength sensor?

[ConnorGames]

I found this sensor at mouser for $48. Could it determine the wavelength of a laser? does anyone have experience with it?

Product page>> WS7.56-TO5 Pacific Silicon Sensor Photodiodes

 

[Machinist Joe]

Datasheet states, "Operating range 450 - 950 nm"

 

[ConnorGames]

Are there any superior alternatives at a comparable price? Does anyone have firsthand experience with this sensor? In particular, would detection below 450nm be possible with decreased resolution/accuracy?

 

[lasersbee]

Look at the Chart of the wavelengths it can see and
at what levels...

The Data Sheet is there to answer all questions pertaining
to that device...

If you want to determine the Wavelength of a Laser you will
need a Spectrometer..


Jerry

 

[Benm]

Well, it is a wavelength sensor, so it can measure the wavelength of a laser in the 450-950 nm range. This requires calculating the ratio between responses of the two photodiodes stacked in this device, and then using a lookup table to find the corresponding wavelength. This could be accomplished with 2 accurate ADC's and a microcontrontroller.

To make it accurate you'd need tabulated response data instead of the 2 graphs in the datasheet.

Extending the range beyond 450 nm doesnt seem feasilbe though: the response of photodiode A is virtually flat, and near zero, in that range, so the ratio between A and B is not affected by wavelength anymore. This also holds true for IR light beyond 950 nm or so.

 

[AUS]

Wow, that IS Interesting! I think that is the sensor used in the WaveMate meter... And thay claim ±0.5 nm accuracy!

They touch on it and explain the theory here.

We might have to do some experimenting I think!