A subscriber writes about possible diodes for an optical scanner:

> I had also spoken with a photodiode company here in Texas and they
> recommended something called the "pill" diodes that were used to read
> the old computer cards we used in school...>>

Be aware these guys are very small.  They are a small cylinder about
.059" dia. x .090" long.  Most of the cylinder is one contact (a brass
sleeve) and the diode end has two small tabs about .015" square (these
stick out at a righr angle from the cylinder.  Obviously a custom PCB
will be required.  I have tried hand soldering several of these with no
sucess.  Probably solder paste with infrared heating would work.

I have no idea if these are still available.  They cost about $120/100
seven years ago.

Anyway, if anyone is still interested in this item, I have a few - just
e-mail me your address and I will drop a couple in the mail.

Will Dahlgren