PD638C Photodiode Sensor

The PD638C Photodiode Sensor is a silicon photodiode with a peak sensitivity wavelength of 940nm – specifically in the near-infrared range used by IR remote controls, IR proximity sensors, and IR LED communication links – making it the most IR-specific photodiode, distinct from the BPW21 which peaks at 550-565nm for visible green light photometry and the BPW34 which has a broad 400-1100nm response with a 1100nm peak.

The photodiode PD638C is designed to be paired with 940nm IR LEDs – the same wavelength used in television remote controls, TSOP IR receiver modules, and obstacle avoidance sensor pairs – for building IR beam-break detectors, proximity sensors, and IR communication receivers where the photodiode only needs to respond to the specific 940nm IR wavelength and reject visible light interference.

The PD638C silicon photodiode has a dark current of 5nA – the tiny leakage current that flows with no light present – providing a low noise floor that allows the photodiode to detect weak IR signals reliably in dimly lit and outdoor environments. The 2-pin through-hole package gives the PD638C photodiode pinout a standard anode-cathode connection that inserts directly into a breadboard or PCB through-hole footprint for easy circuit integration alongside a transimpedance amplifier or comparator circuit. Available on StemVolt. This photodiode sensor is ideal for Arduino, IR remote decoder proximity sensor, beam-break detector and IR communication.

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Features:

• 940nm IR peak matched to standard IR LED and remote wavelength
• IR-specific sensitivity rejects visible light detects only near-IR signals
• 5nA dark current low noise floor for weak IR signal detection
• 2-pin through-hole standard breadboard PCB anode cathode insertion
• Pairs with 940nm IR LED beam-break proximity IR link builds

Technical Specifications:

 Applications:

• Arduino IR beam-break sensor using PD638C photodiode and 940nm LED
• IR proximity detector with PD638C photodiode sensor
• STEM project for PD638C silicon photodiode 940nm IR sensing circuit demo
• IR remote control signal receiver using PD638C photodiode circuit
• photodiode sensor for 940nm IR LED photodiode pair lab build

Package Include:

• 1 x PD638C Photodiode Sensor