crystal detector

American  

noun

Radio.

1. a device for rectifying a modulated radio-frequency signal, consisting of a crystal of germanium, silicon, galena, or the like with a cat whisker contact, permitting a high-frequency current to pass freely in one direction only: one of the two principal components of a crystal set.

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crystal detector British  

noun

1. electronics a demodulator, used esp in microwave circuits and in early radio receivers, consisting of a thin metal wire in point contact with a semiconductor crystal

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Etymology

Origin of crystal detector

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

crystal detector

But hidden in Becky's suitcase was a sophisticated sodium iodide crystal detector to sniff minute amounts of gamma radiation from as far away as another room.

From Time Magazine Archive

Numerous important inventions such as the crystal detector, the oscillating valve, the triode valve—have been due to private or amateur work.

From The Dawn of Amateur Radio in the U.K. and Greece: a personal view by Joly, Norman F.

The crystal detector consists of some mineral crystal and a fine-wire point, usually platinum.

From Letters of a Radio-Engineer to His Son by Mills, John

With a crystal detector receiving set you can receive either telegraphic dots and dashes or telephonic speech and music.

From The Radio Amateur's Hand Book by Collins, A. Frederick (Archie Frederick)

This price also includes a crystal detector, an adjustable tuning coil, a single telephone receiver with head-band and the wire, porcelain insulators, lightning switch and ground clamp for the aerial wire system.

From The Radio Amateur's Hand Book by Collins, A. Frederick (Archie Frederick)