photodiode

[foh-toh-dahy-ohd]

noun

Electronics.

1. a photosensitive semiconductor diode.

photodiode

/ ˌfəʊtəʊˈdaɪəʊd /

noun

1. a semiconductor diode, the conductivity of which is controlled by incident illumination

photodiode

1. A diode that exhibits sensitivity to light, either by varying its electrical resistance like a photoresistor, or generating a electric potential in the manner of a photoelectric cell.

2. See more at photoelectric

Word History and Origins

Origin of photodiode¹

First recorded in 1940–45; photo- + diode

Example Sentences

"The speed of mosTF is still limited by needing to use high sensitivity, low noise cameras that are often slow. We are now working on a next generation system with new type of detectors such as hybrid photomultiplier or avalanche photodiode arrays that are both sensitive and fast."

Read more on Science Daily

Kahn and Abbamonte are working on an extremely sensitive photodiode, a device that produces an electrical signal when it absorbs light.

Read more on Science Magazine

As iRobot research scientist Ben Kenhoe explained in response to Krotov’s video, the basic problem is that Roombas detect sudden drops like stairs and steps using a combination of an LED and a photodiode — a sensor that detects light.

Read more on The Verge

As Kenhoe puts it: “Does the photodiode detect reflected light from the LED? Great, the floor is there! No reflected light? Uh oh, that must be a cliff. Dark black carpet->no reflected light, it looks like a cliff!”

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Changing the light responsivity of a photodiode alters the connection strength — the synaptic weight — in the network.

Read more on Nature