1. A semiconductor device that converts light into electrical current, used in optical communication and light detection applications.
Usage: technical; electronics

Examples

• The photodiode in the camera sensor detects incoming light and converts it to an electrical signal.
• Fiber-optic communication systems rely on photodiodes to receive and decode transmitted data.
• A photodiode responds quickly to changes in light intensity, making it ideal for high-speed applications.
• The photodiode's sensitivity can be adjusted by varying the applied reverse bias voltage.
• Solar cells are a type of photodiode designed to convert sunlight into usable electrical power.