Abstract: A plurality of resistive regions constituting a resistive region gradually increase in width from one end to the other end and have substantially the same resistivity. If, therefore, this semiconductor position sensitive detector is placed such that charges generated in accordance with incident light from an object at a long distance flow into narrow resistive regions, since the narrow resistive regions have high resistances, the output currents from the two ends of the resistive region greatly change to improve the position detection precision even in a case wherein the incident light position only slightly moves on the surface as the distance to the object changes.

Abstract: In an apparatus a photosensitve surface of PSD is provided with a conductive trunk region extending in a base line direction and a plurality of conductive branch regions arranged in the base line direction and each connected to the trunk region, and each branch region makes an angle of 45° to the base line direction. An LED is arranged to be able to project slit light extending at the angle of 45° to the base line direction.

Abstract: A semiconductor position sensor functions as a PSD or as a two-part split PD or the like, based on control of disconnection/connection of basic, electroconductive strips by controlling a voltage of gate electrode. This semiconductor position sensor does not require a PD separate from the PSD, whereby the device itself can be constructed in compact size. Further, since all signal light can impinge on a photosensitive area, detection sensitivity can be improved.

Abstract: In an apparatus a photosensitve surface of PSD is provided with a conductive trunk region extending in a base line direction and a plurality of conductive branch regions arranged in the base line direction and each connected to the trunk region, and each branch region makes an angle of 45° to the base line direction. An LED is arranged to be able to project slit light extending at the angle of 45° to the base line direction.

Abstract: A semiconductor position sensor functions as a PSD or as a two-part split PD or the like, based on control of disconnection/connection of basic, electroconductive strips by controlling a voltage of gate electrode. This semiconductor position sensor does not require a PD separate from the PSD, whereby the device itself can be constructed in compact size. Further, since all signal light can impinge on a photosensitive area, detection sensitivity can be improved.