Position sensing detectors to replace quadrant photodiodes

PSDs function according to the the Lateral Effect Photodiode principle - therefore they display excellent resolution and speed in position detection applications as sensitive as vibration and high accuracy measurements.

Quadrant photodiodes require the laser beam to be in all segments of the detector and a high quality beam shape to produce accurate results. A PSD, however, is a single piece of silicon which produces accurate results independent of beam shape and location. Standard PSDs feature active areas of 45x45mm².

PSDs have commonly been used in high demand machine vision and inspection systems, such as automotive and aerospace, large civil engineering projects such as bridge and tower construction, and specialist projects such as remotely piloted vehicles, robotic guidance and simulation projects.