photoelectric cell

photoelectric cell

n.

An electronic device having an electrical output that varies in response to incident radiation, especially to visible light. Also called electric eye.

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photoelectric cell

n

(Electronics) another name for photocell

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photoelectric cell

An electronic device having an electrical output that varies in response to the strength of incident electromagnetic radiation, especially visible light. Photoelectric cells make use of the photoelectric effect, in which electrons are displaced by photons in substances such as silicon or selenium to generate a voltage in response to radiation. Photoelectric cells are used to detect light electronically in cameras and night vision apparatus and to generate electrical power in solar cells. Also called photovoltaic cell. See also solar cell.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

photoelectric cell - a transducer used to detect and measure light and other radiations electric eye, magic eye, photocell, photoconductive cell detector, sensing element, sensor - any device that receives a signal or stimulus (as heat or pressure or light or motion etc.) and responds to it in a distinctive manner photocathode - a cathode that emits electrons when illuminated selenium cell - a photoelectric cell that uses a strip of selenium transducer - an electrical device that converts one form of energy into another