TOCON_GAP4

GaP photodetector with integrated amplifier
for UV + VIS (240 – 590 nm) measurements
TO5 hermetically sealed metal housing with diffusor
0 … 5 V signal output
max. irradiance (saturation limit) at 445 nm (peak wavelength) is 9 µW/cm²
min. irradiance (resolution limit) is 0.9 nW/cm²

Single Price: 135,00€

Description
CAD
Quantity prices for sample orders

from 1 piece = EUR 135,00 / piece

from 10 pieces = EUR 124,00 / piece

from 100 pieces = EUR 41,00 / piece

For higher quantities, please feel free to contact us for a quotation.

What is a TOCON?

A TOCON is a UV photodetector that contains a SiC or a GaP detector chip and an amplifier circuit that outputs a voltage of 0 to 5 V. This output voltage is linear in proportion to the UV radiation intensity reaching the chip.

Which are the advantages and disadvantages compared with a photodiode?

Compared with a bare UV photodiode the TOCON’s big advantage is the amplifier’s position inside the TO5 metal housing and its close proximity to the detector. This construction protects the usually very low current levels generated by the detector chip from electromagnetic interference and also from moisture and pollution induced disturbances. A point to be considered of the TOCON is the lower dynamic range (approx. 3 orders of magnitude) compared with a SiC UV photodiode (10 orders of magnitude). To overdome this disadvantage we offer each TOCON type in many different amplification levels to avoid saturation and too low voltage output levels for nearly all applications.

Which are the advantages and disadvantages compared with a sensor probe?

A TOCON is smaller and much less expensive than a sensor probe. Additionally a TOCON is water pressure proof and hermetically sealed. A point to be considered is that at the presence of strong electromagnetic interferences or in case of excess voltage a sensor probe could be of a better performance. The reason is that a sensor probe contains more space that is needed for components that avoid problems caused by ESD or excess voltage.

Is the TOCON calibrated?

No, the TOCON is not calibrated. If required, the sglux calibration laboratory offers an individual calibration service including a calibration certificate. This document assigns the voltage output of one specific TOCON to the irradiation of a specific UV radiation source. As-delivered the TOCON is sensitive in the specified range. Example: A TOCON_ABC6 is sensitive between 180 nW/cm² and 1.8 mW/cm². This means that the TOCON will saturate (output voltage = input voltage) at approx. 1.8 mW/cm². At the lower end a radiation of 180 nW/cm² will still output a couple of mV. While selecting a TOCON, the most important thing to consider is to not illuminate the TOCON until saturation level. A saturation will not damage the TOCON but likely the voltage output will no longer be linear to the radiation input because any increase of radiation below the saturation point will not further increase the output voltage.

What is the maximum signal output of a TOCON?

The theoretical maximum signal output is always a little less (approx. 5%) than the supply voltage.

Do I need an external amplifier?

No, no additional amplifier is required.

How can I use my TOCON?

Please use a standard voltmeter to read out the signal. Caution! Wrong wiring of power supply can lead to immediate destruction of the device. Please refer to our application note delivered with the device.

What about the TOCON scatter?

A TOCON is a sophisticated product with many internal components. Many of these internal components, and especially the quantum efficiency of the UV-sensing SiC chip and the gain resistor value, have sample to sample scatter (variation). TOCONs are designed for a total scatter of +/-20% in signal and some devices will show greater variance. It is recommended that that when choosing a TOCON model for production, the TOCON should be chosen so that the 5V saturation level is TWICE the expected signal from the device under normal conditions and that under normal/design conditions, output voltage is about 2.5V. Customers are especially cautioned to AVOID SATURATION conditions. Saturation is when Signal voltage equals Power Supply Voltage (normally 5V). Saturation will not damage the TOCON but it can lead to PERSONAL SAFETY PROBLEMS or other DAMAGE due to unknown and potentially excess UV exposure levels.

What is the output pin impedance (or the drive capability) of the TOCON sensor?

The TOCON can drive resistive loads as low as 2 kOhms, but we recommend not to stress this limit unnecessarily. In normal environments an input impedance of >= 100 kOhm is recommended for the readout circuitry. In very harsh (EMI/EMC/noisy) surroundings impedances of >= 10 kOhm can be considered taking into account a slight reduction in output swing. The TOCON is stable for capacitive loads up to 30 pF under all circumstances. If more capacitive loading can not be avoided a series resistor of 10 Ohms … 100 Ohms may be required to ensure stability up to few hundred nF.

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