A Light Sensor generates an output signal indicating the intensity of light by measuring the radiant energy that exists in a very narrow range of frequencies basically called “light”, and which ranges in frequency from “Infrared” to “Visible” up to “Ultraviolet” light spectrum. The light sensor is a device that converts this “light energy” whether visible or in the infrared parts of the spectrum into an electrical signal output. Light sensors are more commonly known as “Photoelectric Devices” or “Photo Sensors” because they convert light energy (photons) into electricity (electrons).
Photoelectric devices can be grouped into two main categories, those which generate electricity when illuminated, such as Photo-voltaics or Photo-emissives etc, and those which change their electrical properties in some way such as Photo-resistors or Photo-conductors. This leads to the following classification of devices.
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I could have used your tutorial back in June when I had an LDR project. See my blog at dzrmo.wordpress.com for a description of how I used the GL5528 LDR.
http://akizukidenshi.com/download/ds/senba/GL55%20Series%20Photoresistor.pdf