Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to or exhibiting photoconductivity: Describes a material whose electrical conductivity increases when exposed to light. This property is the basis for many light-sensing devices.

Usage

• The term is used primarily in scientific and technical contexts, particularly in physics, materials science, and electronics, to describe materials and their properties.
• It is an attributive adjective, most commonly placed before a noun (e.g., a layer, material).

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The device uses a photoconductive film to detect the light signal.
  • Cadmium sulfide is a well-known photoconductive substance.
  • The photoconductive effect is utilized in photocopiers and some types of light meters.

Advanced Usage

• Photoconductive gain: A measure of the amplification of an electrical signal in a photoconductive material.
  • The experiment aimed to maximize the photoconductive gain of the new semiconductor.
• Photoconductive cell/device: A component whose electrical resistance changes with light intensity.
  • The automatic streetlight is controlled by a photoconductive cell.

Variants and Related Words

• Photoconductivity (n): The phenomenon or property of becoming more electrically conductive under the influence of light.
  • The research paper studied the photoconductivity of organic polymers.
• Photoconductor (n): A material or device that exhibits photoconductivity.
  • The drum in a laser printer is coated with a photoconductor.

Synonyms

• Light-sensitive (in an electrical context): Responding to light by changing electrical properties.
• Photo-responsive (in a conductivity context): Reacting to light, specifically by altering conductivity.

Related Phrases/Compounds

• Photoconductive effect: The physical phenomenon where light increases a material's conductivity.
  • The photoconductive effect was first observed in the element selenium.
• Photoconductive decay: The decrease in conductivity after a light source is removed.
  • Measuring the photoconductive decay time helps characterize the material's quality.

Adjective

1. of or relating to photoconductivity
   • selenium is a photoconductive substance