photocathode

American  

[foh-toh-kath-ohd] / ˌfoʊ toʊˈkæθ oʊd /

noun

1. a cathode, typically of a cesium or sodium compound, having the property of emitting electrons when activated by light or other radiation.

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photocathode British  

/ ˌfəʊtəʊˈkæθəʊd /

noun

1. a cathode that undergoes or is used for photoemission

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Etymology

Origin of photocathode

First recorded in 1925–30; photo- + cathode

Example Sentences

Tests of a copper oxide light harvester, or photocathode, based on this fabrication technique showed a 70% improvement over existing state-of-the-art oxide photocathodes, while also showing greatly improved stability.

From Science Daily • Apr. 24, 2024

Tests of a cuprous oxide photocathode made using this technique showed an increase in performance of more than 70% over existing state-of-the-art electrodeposited oxide photocathodes.

From Science Daily • Apr. 24, 2024

Silicon, for instance, makes a good photocathode — the electrode that produces hydrogen gas — but is stable only when the solution around it is acidic.

From Nature • Jun. 3, 2014

Inside is a small black square: a new titanium dioxide-coated photocathode.

From Nature • Jun. 3, 2014

In a vacuum tube, photons of light strike a cesium-antimony photocathode, which in turn gives off high-speed electrons.

From Time Magazine Archive