You’re asking for a description of optical and radiation sensors.

These sensors detect and measure light, which is a form of electromagnetic radiation. They obtain information by converting changes in various properties of light (intensity, wavelength, polarization, etc.) into electrical signals. In a broader sense, “light” includes not only visible light but also various regions of the electromagnetic spectrum such as ultraviolet, infrared, X-rays, and gamma rays.

Therefore, optical and radiation sensors are used in a very wide range of fields.

1. Optical Sensors:

Optical sensors primarily detect light in the visible, ultraviolet, and infrared regions. They can be classified into various types depending on their operating principle:

• Photoelectric Sensors: These sensors detect the presence or absence of light or changes in its intensity. They consist of a light-emitting part (mainly an LED) and a light-receiving part (photodiode, phototransistor, etc.). They are used for object detection, distance measurement, color detection, and more.
  • Through-beam type: The light-emitting and light-receiving parts face each other, detecting whether an object blocks the light.
  • Retro-reflective type: The light emitted from the light-emitting part is reflected by an object back to the light-receiving part.
  • Diffuse-reflective type: The light emitted from the light-emitting part is diffused by the object’s surface and returns to the light-receiving part.
• Image Sensors: These sensors convert light into images. CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) and CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) sensors are representative examples and are used in digital cameras, smartphone cameras, CCTV cameras, and more.
• Fiber Optic Sensors: These sensors use optical fibers to detect changes in light. They are used to measure temperature, pressure, strain, etc., and are particularly useful in harsh environments or for long-distance measurements.
• Color Sensors: These sensors measure the color of light. RGB sensors are representative examples and are used for color detection, color sorting, color correction, and more.

2. Radiation Sensors:

Radiation sensors detect high-energy radiation such as X-rays, gamma rays, alpha particles, and beta particles.

• Geiger Counter: Measures radiation using the ionization phenomenon that occurs when radiation particles collide with gas.
• Scintillation Counter: Measures radiation by detecting the light (scintillation) generated when radiation collides with a specific substance (scintillator).
• Semiconductor Detectors: Measure radiation using the electrical changes that occur when radiation enters a semiconductor material.

Summary:

Optical and radiation sensors detect and measure light and radiation around us and are used in various fields. With the advancement of technology, as smaller, more precise, and more multifunctional sensors are developed, their range of applications is expected to expand further.