photodetector
Optical signal converter
A photodetector is a device that converts light into an electrical signal.
Photodetectors are fundamental components in fiber optic communications, digital cameras, smoke detectors, and scientific instruments.
Different types respond to different wavelengths—from infrared to ultraviolet.
The photodetector registered a faint pulse from the distant star.
Light-to-current semiconductor
- phototransistorLight-sensitive amplifying component
- photocellLight-sensitive electronic component
- CCDLight-sensitive imaging chip
- CMOSSemiconductor logic architecture
PIN · avalanche · LDR · thermopile · pyroelectric · photoresistor · image sensor · solar cell
Responsiveness to stimuli
- responsivityCapacity to respond
- dynamic rangeSignal amplitude span
- signal-to-noiseProportion of meaning to clutter
- bandwidthData transmission capacity
response time · linearity · saturation · threshold · gain · cutoff frequency
Adjusting for measurement accuracy
- wavelengthSpatial repetition interval
- irradianceIncident power per area
- absorbanceLight uptake measurement
- transmittanceFraction not absorbed
reflectance · spectroscopy · photometry · intensity · flux · power meter · luminosity · nanometers
Partial electrical conductor
- siliconMetalloid in electronics
- germaniumAtomic number thirty-two
- junctionPoint where things meet
- electrodeConductive interface point
substrate · window · housing · amplifier · filter · lens · optical fiber · cadmium telluride
Image capturing device
- imagingProducing visual representations
- remote sensingGathering data without contact
- barcode scannerDevice reading printed stripes
- medical imagingCreating pictures inside bodies
fiber optics · astronomy · spectrophotometer · night vision · proximity sensor · pulse oximeter · solar panel · fluorescence
photodiode
Light-to-current semiconductor
- phototransistorLight-sensitive amplifying component
- photocellLight-sensitive electronic component
- CCDLight-sensitive imaging chip
CMOS · PIN · avalanche · LDR · thermopile · pyroelectric · photoresistor · image sensor · solar cell · PMT
sensitivity
Responsiveness to stimuli
- responsivityCapacity to respond
- dynamic rangeSignal amplitude span
- signal-to-noiseProportion of meaning to clutter
bandwidth · response time · linearity · saturation · threshold · gain · cutoff frequency
calibration
Adjusting for measurement accuracy
- wavelengthSpatial repetition interval
- irradianceIncident power per area
- absorbanceLight uptake measurement
transmittance · reflectance · spectroscopy · photometry · intensity · flux · power meter · luminosity · nanometers · spectrometer
semiconductor
Partial electrical conductor
electrode · substrate · window · housing · amplifier · filter · lens · optical fiber · cadmium telluride
camera
Image capturing device
- imagingProducing visual representations
- remote sensingGathering data without contact
- barcode scannerDevice reading printed stripes
medical imaging · fiber optics · astronomy · spectrophotometer · night vision · proximity sensor · pulse oximeter · solar panel · fluorescence
photodetectorLED
Semiconductor that glows
light source · laser · laser diode · light-emitting diode · lamp