Technical Article

Photoelectric Sensor Wavelengths

July 26, 2022 by Antonio Armenta

Learn about the differences between red, green, infrared, and more recently, blue photoelectric sensors and how the different light spectrums can aid in varying industrial automation processes.

Photoelectric sensors are devices that employ light as the means of detection. These sensors have been around for several decades and are widely used in industrial automation and consumer electronics. Photoelectric sensors have multiple applications in industrial automation, including object detection and quality inspections.

 

Photoelectric Sensor Types

A traditional photoelectric sensor consists of a light source and a light receiver. Sometimes, both emitter and transmitter are contained within the same housing. There are four main types of photoelectric sensors.

 

Four main types of photoelectric sensors

Figure 1. There are four main types of photoelectric sensors, including through beam sensors, reflective sensors, retroreflective sensors, and diffuse sensors. Image used courtesy of Pepperl+Fuchs

 

Through Beam Sensor

The light emitter and the transmitter are separated and placed in front of the other at a distance. Detection occurs when an object is placed between the two components, blocking the light beam. These sensors can cover long distances, more than 10 meters away, and are apt for detecting virtually any object if it does not easily reflect the light beam to the emitter.

 

Reflective and Retroreflective Sensor

In this case, the light emitter and the transmitter are placed on the same side inside the same housing. Reflective sensors require that the surface of the detected object reflects the light beam. Retroreflective sensors utilize an additional reflecting surface. The light beam is constantly reflected towards the emitter unless an object gets in the way.

These sensors are more cost-effective than through-beam sensors because they require only one housing, thus also reducing the amount of wiring and installation work. 

 

Diffuse Sensor

In principle, these sensors work the same way as reflective sensors, but they rely on the reflectivity of the detected object. They are the easiest to install because they do not require the additional reflector surface, but on the downside, they are the least accurate among the three.

 

Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)

As we have seen, regardless of the sensing mode, all photoelectric sensors require a light source or light emitter. Nowadays, most photoelectric sensors utilize LEDs as the light source. LEDs for industrial use are known for being very robust, operating for several years without issues, even under rough conditions.

Another significant advantage of using LEDs as light sources is consistency. LEDs are designed for producing lights at specific wavelengths, which they accurately maintain. In addition, the wavelength range of the light beam gives the LED its color. LEDs can be found in the red, green, infrared, and, more recently, blue light spectrums. 

The light spectrum visible to the human eye is between 400 nm and 750 nm of wavelength. Therefore, red, green, and blue LED sensors are within the visible spectrum. Infrared sensors, on the other hand, are just outside the visible range.

In the following sections, we will analyze and compare photoelectric sensors' different LED light spectrums.

 

Red Light Sensors

Red LEDs are the most common spectrum used in photoelectric sensors and average 660 nm in wavelength. The clear visibility of the light source helps with the alignment of the emitter, receiver, and reflector during the installation.

Red beam sensors are effective in detecting translucent and semi-transparent objects. They are beneficial in applications where the detected objects are plastic wrapped, glossy, or highly reflective. The light source can also be calibrated to reduce retro-reflectivity when sensing shiny objects. These are also the most cost-effective photoelectric sensors because they have been around the longest and are well understood.

 

Green light sensors can be used to measure body functions

Figure 4. Many wearables, such as the Fitbit, employ green light sources to measure body functions. Image used courtesy of Fitbit

 

Green Light Sensors

Green light sensors share many of their advantages with red-light sensors. These sensors have smaller wavelengths of 550 nm on average. They are commonly found in the wearables industry because of their better light beam damping ratio. This means that green light wavelengths work well in viscous environments, such as sensing things through the surface of the human skin. This is how a green light wearable can detect changes in light intensity to measure heart rate.

 

Infrared light used in many cooking thermometers

Figure 5. Many thermometers in cooking use infrared light. Image used courtesy of ThermoWorks

 

Infrared Sensors

The light beams produced by infrared sensors are not visible to the human eye. Infrared detection was invented several decades ago, and it has remained a popular option in industrial automation because of its energy efficiency. They are particularly well suited for environments with high contaminants, such as dust. On the other hand, the fact that the light beam is not visible makes the installation and alignment more complicated.

Infrared sensors are also good options for detecting opaque surfaces and dark-colored objects. They too can penetrate certain materials, making it possible to see things inside containers. 

Infrared sensors provide the most extended detection range among the different colors in the spectrum.

 

SensoPart's BlueLight Technology uses blue light sensors

Figure 6. The German company, SensoPart, uses blue light sensors. Blue light sensors can detect high light-absorbing surfaces, such as deep black or curved objects. Image used courtesy of SensoPart
 

Blue Light Sensors

Blue light sensors expand the capabilities of photoelectric sensors by detecting surfaces that are high light-absorbing. These surfaces include deep black and transparent objects which are typically much harder for optical sensors to detect. Curved and irregular objects also tend to reflect less light, making these easier candidates for blue-light wavelengths. 

In addition, the blue light spectrum has higher reflectivity than red or green light, meaning that the light does not need to penetrate the surface as much. However, on the downside, blue light sensors have a relatively short range of up to 1.2 meters.