Photodetectors

A photodiode is a semiconductor diode sensitive to photon radiation, such as visible light, infrared or ultraviolet radiation, X-rays and gamma rays. It produces an electrical current when it absorbs photons. This can be used for detection and measurement applications, or for the generation of electrical power in solar cells. Photodiodes are used in a wide range of applications throughout the electromagnetic spectrum from visible light photocells to gamma ray spectrometers.

thumb|upright=1.3|A photodetector salvaged from a CD-ROM drive. The photodetector contains three [[photodiodes, visible in the photo (in center).]]

device used in electrical engineering

a diode with a wide, undoped intrinsic semiconductor region between a p-type semiconductor and an n-type semiconductor region

highly sensitive semiconductor electronic device

property of photosensitive devices

detection single parties and photons

pneumatic detector

solid-state photodetector

thumb| Simplified representation of a bolometric pixel A microbolometer is a specific type of bolometer used as a detector in a thermal camera. Infrared radiation with wavelengths between 7.5–14 μm strikes the detector material, heating it, and thus changing its electrical resistance. This resistance change is measured and processed into temperatures which can be used to create an image. Unlike other types of infrared detecting equipment, microbolometers do not require cooling.

Electronic device

extremely sensitive solid-state photodetector