selenium cell
Definition
Noun: A selenium cell is a type of photoelectric cell that uses a strip of selenium as the light-sensitive material. It converts light energy into electrical energy.
Usage
The term is used in technical and historical contexts to describe an early type of light sensor or photodetector. * The operation of some early television systems relied on a selenium cell. * A selenium cell can be used in light-metering equipment.
Advanced Usage
- Historical Context: Selenium cells were significant in the early development of photoelectric technology, preceding modern semiconductor-based devices like photodiodes and phototransistors.
Variants and Related Words
- Photoelectric cell (noun): A broader category of devices that emit electrons or change electrical properties when exposed to light. A selenium cell is one type of photoelectric cell.
- Photoconductive cell (noun): A device whose electrical resistance decreases when exposed to light. A selenium cell often operates on this principle.
Synonyms
- Photoconductive cell (when describing its operating mode)
- Light-sensitive cell
Related Phrases/Compounds
- Selenium photocell: An alternative name for a selenium cell.
- Photoelectric effect: The underlying physical phenomenon exploited by a selenium cell.
Noun
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a photoelectric cell that uses a strip of selenium
