Photodetector

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Electronic components are referred to as photodetectors , also light sensors or optical detectors , optoelectronic sensors , which convert light into an electrical signal using the photoelectric effect or exhibit an electrical resistance that is dependent on the incident radiation . However, the term also refers to applications that have integrated such a radiation-measuring component. In optoelectronics, the term light refers not only to visible light, but also to invisible infrared light and ultraviolet radiation .

An optoelectronic sensor can detect signals (for example a light meter ) or be integrated into an imaging measuring process in which the light-sensitive surface is divided into individual areas ( pixels ) so that an electrical image can be generated in conjunction with a lens and camera electronics . For robotics and medical applications, developments are already under way in the direction of complex visual apparatus using cameras and their signal processing.

Photodetectors that use the external photoelectric effect include:

Photodetectors that use the internal photoelectric effect include:

See also