PHOTOELECTRIC CELL Definition & Meaning

photoelectric cell

noun

Electronics.

photocell.

photoelectric cell

noun

another name for photocell

photoelectric cell

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.
Also called photovoltaic cell
See also solar cell

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of photoelectric cell¹

First recorded in 1890–95

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

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.

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

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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.

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

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

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