photosensors
Electronic light detectors
Photosensors are devices that detect light and convert it into electrical signals.
They appear in everything from automatic doors to digital cameras to solar panels.
A photosensor might trigger a streetlight at dusk or enable a smartphone screen to adjust brightness.
The technology ranges from simple light-dependent resistors to sophisticated image sensors capturing millions of pixels.
Light-sensitive amplifying component
- photoresistorComponent resisting less when bright
- CCDLight-sensitive imaging chip
- CMOSSemiconductor logic architecture
- avalancheRapid mountain snow collapse
Intrinsic brightness of source
- brightnessDegree of light emitted
- intensityStrength or force level
- illuminationProvision of light
- wavelengthSpatial repetition interval
infrared · ultraviolet · visible · spectrum · radiance · lux · candela · irradiance
Change in position
- presenceState of being somewhere
- proximityNearness in space
- occupancyState of inhabiting space
- intrusionUnauthorized entry into space
gesture · object · distance · ambient · threshold · trigger · response · sensitivity
Image capturing device
- smartphoneHandheld connected computer
- CCTVSurveillance camera network
- telescopeInstrument magnifying faraway objects
- microscopeInstrument for viewing minute objects
spectrometer · LIDAR · robotics · colorimeter · touchscreen · autoexposure · autofocus
What something generates
- voltageElectrical potential difference
- currentDirected flow of charge
- analogComparable equivalent
- digitalOf discrete data
conversion · ADC · amplification · noise · responsivity · gain · bandwidth · saturation
phototransistor
Light-sensitive amplifying component
- photoresistorComponent resisting less when bright
- CCDLight-sensitive imaging chip
- CMOSSemiconductor logic architecture
avalanche · PIN · LDR · pixel · silicon · semiconductor · circuitry
luminosity
Intrinsic brightness of source
- brightnessDegree of light emitted
- intensityStrength or force level
- illuminationProvision of light
wavelength · infrared · ultraviolet · visible · spectrum · radiance · lux · candela · irradiance · exposure
motion
Change in position
intrusion · gesture · object · distance · ambient · threshold · trigger · response · sensitivity · range
camera
Image capturing device
- smartphoneHandheld connected computer
- CCTVSurveillance camera network
- telescopeInstrument magnifying faraway objects
microscope · spectrometer · LIDAR · robotics · colorimeter · touchscreen · autoexposure · autofocus
output
What something generates
digital · conversion · ADC · amplification · noise · responsivity · gain · bandwidth · saturation · linearity
photosensorsLEDs
Semiconductor light sources
light sources · lasers · light-emitting diodes · lamps · illuminators