Optical power of Smartphone (Galaxy S20) torch

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SUMMARY

The effective optical power of the Samsung Galaxy S20 torch was estimated to be approximately 1.92 mW/cm² at a distance of 2.5 cm from the light source. This estimation was achieved using a Thorlabs PDA100A-EC photodetector, which provided a means to measure the responsivity of the induced current from the smartphone's illumination. The responsivity of the photodetector is wavelength dependent, necessitating the use of an average responsivity for a broad spectrum light source like the smartphone torch. Light meters were also suggested as a potential tool for measuring light intensity.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of phototransistors and their applications
  • Familiarity with optical power density calculations
  • Knowledge of photodetector specifications, particularly the Thorlabs PDA100A-EC
  • Basic principles of light measurement and the use of light meters
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the specifications and applications of the Thorlabs PDA100A-EC photodetector
  • Learn about the principles of optical power density and its calculation methods
  • Explore the use of light meters in various applications, including photography and scientific measurements
  • Investigate the wavelength dependency of photodetector responsivity and its implications for measurements
USEFUL FOR

Researchers in photonics, engineers working with optical devices, and anyone involved in measuring light intensity using smartphones or photodetectors.

Techni
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TL;DR
Looking for effective optical power of smartphone torch
In doing a project on phototransistors I am using my smartphone as illumination source.

In order to find the responsivity of the induced current from the light, I need to know the surface power density, which I could estimate, if I knew the effective optical power of the light from the smartphone torch.

I have scoured the internet (and even contacted Samsung tech support) with no luck, and am hoping someone can help me find a source for the info.
 
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Algr said:
Perhaps a light meter would help? They used to be a critical tool in photography.

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=light+meter&atb=v314-1&ia=web
Thank you for the response.

I ended up using a Thorlabs photodetector (https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=PDA100A-EC).

While I ran into the problem with the responsivity of the photodetector being wavelength dependent, due to the smartphone torch covering a wide spectrum, choosing an average responsivity of the photodetector gives a decent enough order of magnitude estimation.
 
Techni said:
average responsivity of the photodetector gives a decent enough order of magnitude estimation.
And what number did you get?
 
I ended up with a rough estimate for the surface power density of the optical light of 1.92 mW/cm^2 at a distance of 2.5 cm normal to the torch plane (backside of the phone)
 
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