Definition

Noun: A photoelectric cell is a transducer that converts light or other electromagnetic radiation into an electrical signal. It operates on the principle of the photoelectric effect, where incident light causes the emission of electrons, generating a current or changing electrical resistance.

Usage

A photoelectric cell is used to detect, measure, or control light and other radiations. It is a core component in various sensing and automation devices. - It is typically used as the object of a verb (e.g., use, contain, trigger). - It can be the subject of a sentence describing its function.

Examples

• As a subject:
  • The photoelectric cell automatically turns the streetlights on at dusk.
  • A photoelectric cell in the burglar alarm detects any interruption of the light beam.
• As an object:
  • The scientist used a photoelectric cell to measure the light intensity.
  • Many modern cameras contain a photoelectric cell for their light meters.

Advanced Usage

• In Technical Contexts: The term is precise and used in physics, engineering, and electronics to describe the specific component, as opposed to more general terms like "light sensor."
  • The experiment's accuracy depended on the calibrated photoelectric cell.

Variants and Related Words

• Photocell: A common shortened form of "photoelectric cell." It has the same meaning.
  • The gate is opened by a photocell.
• Photoemissive cell: A specific type of photoelectric cell where light causes electron emission from a photocathode.
• Photoconductive cell: A type where light changes the electrical resistance of a material like cadmium sulfide.
• Solar cell: A related device that converts light into electrical energy, but is typically designed for power generation rather than just detection.

Synonyms

• Light sensor: A more general term for any device that detects light.
• Photodetector: A broad term for any device that detects light or other electromagnetic radiation.
• Eye (informal/figurative): In some automation contexts, it may be referred to poetically as the "eye" of the system.

Related Phrases and Compounds

• Photoelectric effect: The underlying physical phenomenon on which the cell operates.
• Photoelectric smoke detector: A common application where a photoelectric cell detects smoke particles scattering a light beam.

Noun

1. a transducer used to detect and measure light and other radiations