Light intensity to voltage in line-level/microphone range. What else could it be?
With a little imagination and a few moments thought, I could think of several.
So, PSU voltage, illumination range, linearity, accuracy, logarithmic or linear, frequency?
I want a quick way to look at some IR remote signals using parts I have handy. A photodiode or phototransistor plus the soundcard's ADC seem the simplest.
Looks like you've already determined your goole search terms.