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

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

The 'phone receivers and the crystal detector will have to be purchased as well as some of the accessories, such as the copper wire, pulleys, battery, switches, binding posts, the buzzer tester and so forth.

From Radio Boys Cronies Or, Bill Brown's Radio by Whipple, Wayne

If you understand how the audion works as a detector you will have no difficulty in understanding the crystal detector.

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

The oscillations then flow through the closed circuit where they are rectified by the crystal detector and transformed into sound waves by the telephone receiver as described in connection with Set No. 1.

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

For this reason a crystal detector is sometimes called a rectifier, which it really is.

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