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

Their measurements showed that the thermal photodetector can operate at speeds up to 2.8 GHz.

From Science Daily

Electrical engineers at Duke University have created the fastest pyroelectric photodetector ever demonstrated, a device that detects light by sensing the tiny amount of heat it produces when absorbed.

From Science Daily

Now the researchers want to increase the performance of photodiodes by engineering the stack of layers that comprise the photodetector device.

From Science Daily

These used a mirror to 'scan' a vertical slice of the terrain, digitizing the light with a photodetector.

From Scientific American

Near-room-temperature mid-infrared quantum well photodetector.

From Nature