Linearity in output signal of optical position-sensing detector systems

A precise operation of the position-sensing detectors (PSD) is exploited in this study. A position-sensing detector is modeled and the amplified output signal for this device as a result of input source current variation is studied. Beam displacement on such detectors is calculated and approximated and more accurate expressions for the generated signals are obtained. Linearity effect in output response of such a device is also investigated. The expansion coefficients for the signals are determined, which show the effect of the nonlinear terms. The first nonlinear coefficient is about 16.6% of the linear coefficient while the next terms are 2.5, 0.89, and 0.48% of the linear coefficient, respectively. For a position change of x=0.2 unit the linear term is 0.08, the third-order term −0.005328, and the fifth-order term is only about 0.000032, which is negligible. To see the operational result, using software simulates a PSD and the related circuit that provides the positional information.