RF interference effects on PIN photodiodes

RFI effects on PIN diodes were studied experimentally for various light powers. It is shown that by operating a diode in a photovoltaic mode it is much more susceptible to RFI than by operating it in a photoconductive mode. The RF-frequency and RF-power dependences of the interference effect are illustrated. A method of predicting the combined effects of light illumination and RFI is suggested. Methods of avoiding this interference are discussed.