photoelectric cell

American  

noun

Electronics.

1. photocell.

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photoelectric cell British  

noun

1. another name for photocell

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photoelectric cell Scientific  

1. An electronic device having an electrical output that varies in response to the strength of incident electromagnetic radiation, especially visible light. Photoelectric cells make use of the photoelectric effect, in which electrons are displaced by photons in substances such as silicon or selenium to generate a voltage in response to radiation. Photoelectric cells are used to detect light electronically in cameras and night vision apparatus and to generate electrical power in solar cells.

2. Also called photovoltaic cell

3. See also solar cell

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Etymology

Origin of photoelectric cell

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Afterwards, he set up an experiment in his lab, involving an accelerometer, a scuba diving cap, two light beams, two mirrors, a photoelectric cell, and a lot of string.

From The Guardian

You changed volume and channels by pointing it at photoelectric cells in a screen’s corners.

From The Wall Street Journal

The burnished plates of his body gleamed in the Luxites and the glowing red of the photoelectric cells that were his eyes, were fixed steadily upon the Earthman at the other side of the table.

From Literature

It is invisible to us, but readily detectable by bumblebees and photoelectric cells.

From Literature

“It was definitely a novel use of existing technology, using a photoelectric cell to size the strike zone,” he said.

From New York Times