Photovoltaic effect
principle · 1839 · Industrial Revolution
A current arising in a material under light.
Author: Antoine César Becquerel.
Principles and materials it uses
- Semiconductor — uses. A p–n junction separates the charges.
Where it is used
- Solar panel — is used in. The photoelectric effect in a semiconductor.
- Photodiode — is used in. Light generates a current in the junction.
- Xerography — is used in. A photoconductive drum.
- Sound film — is used in. The optical soundtrack was read by a photocell.
- Iconoscope — is used in. The photoelectric effect of the mosaic.
- Night-vision device — is used in. The photocathode of an image intensifier.
- Photoresistor — is used in. Photoconductivity.
- CCD sensor — is used in. Light generates charge in the cells.
Things built in a similar way
- Photoelectric effect — works like. The internal and external photoelectric effects.