photodetector

American  

[foh-toh-di-tek-ter] / ˈfoʊ toʊ dɪˌtɛk tər /

noun

1. photosensor.

2. Electronics. any device, as a photodiode, phototube, or photovoltaic cell, that uses the photoelectric effect to convert radiant energy into an electrical signal.

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Etymology

Origin of photodetector

First recorded in 1945–50; photo- + detector

Example Sentences

The researchers noted that performance was limited by the bandwidth of the commercial photodetector used in the experiment.

From Science Daily • Apr. 2, 2026

If the vibration of a gravitational wave warps the path of one of the lasers, making the two beams almost infinitesimally misaligned, the laser will hit the photodetector and alert the scientists.

From Washington Post • Feb. 11, 2016

The machine calibrates the amount of light received by the photodetector against the amount absorbed by the partially oxygenated hemoglobin and presents the data as percent saturation.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

A simple way of measuring the frequency splitting is to mix the split laser modes in a photodetector, which produces a “beat frequency” that corresponds to the frequency difference.

From US News • Jun. 29, 2011

A photodetector translates the reflection into electrical impulses, which are then fed to the TV screen.

From Time Magazine Archive