TERMIUM Plus®

The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank.

PHOTOPILE [3 records]

Record 1 2013-10-01

English

Subject field(s)
  • Photoelectricity and Electron Optics
  • Semiconductors (Electronics)
  • Vacuum Tubes (Electronics)
DEF

A device that detects or measures electromagnetic radiation by generating a potential at a junction (barrier layer) between two types of material, upon absorption of radiant energy.

CONT

photovoltaic cell: A photovoltaic cell consists of a thin film of a semiconductor in contact with another appropriate material, usually a metal.

OBS

barrier-layer cell: The Modern Dictionary of Electronics, by R.E. Graf, Howard W. Sams Co., USA, 1977, p. 67, describes this as being a copper-cuprous oxide type of device, though there are, in fact, other types of barrier-layer cells.

Key term(s)
  • barrier layer cell
  • barrier layer photoelectric cell

French

Domaine(s)
  • Photo-électricité et optique électronique
  • Semi-conducteurs (Électronique)
  • Tubes et lampes (Électronique)
DEF

Tube photosensible utilisant l'effet photovoltaïque.

CONT

L'effet photovoltaïque se manifeste par l'apparition d'une force électromotrice au contact d'un métal et d'un semiconducteur. Cette f.e.m. est à peu près proportionnelle au flux lumineux incident. Les cellules photovoltaïques, peu sensibles, peu précises, d'inertie assez grande, ne nécessitent pas d'alimentation extérieure et sont employées dans les posemètres en photographie.

OBS

photopile : Peut désigner aussi une cellule à jonction pn.

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Fotoelectricidad y óptica electrónica
  • Semiconductores (Electrónica)
  • Tubos de vacío (Electrónica)
DEF

Instrumento utilizado para la medida de la energía radiante mediante el efecto fotovoltaico.

Save record 1

Record 2 2010-06-07

English

Subject field(s)
  • Spacecraft
  • Orbital Stations
DEF

[A device that] generates power by converting solar light into electricity.

CONT

Meanwhile, solar cell is very popular as an energy source in space, and you can easily take a look at the huge solar cell panel on the ISS [International Space Station]. But the generation ability of the solar cell decreases in inversely proportional with the rate of 1.5 power to the distance from the Sun. (The intensity of Sun ray decreases in inversely proportional with 2.0 power to the distance from the Sun, while the generation efficiency of the solar cell increases with lowering temperature.) Therefore, if we send spacecraft to the planet farther than the Asteroid Belt (numerous small planets existing at the orbit between Mars and Jupiter) and conduct many observational work, solar cell is no longer effective. There, the Sun ray is too weak and a simulation indicates we need huge solar cell panels.

OBS

solar cell: term officially approved by the International Space Station Terminology Approval Group (ISSTAG).

PHR

Solar cell power supply.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Engins spatiaux
  • Stations orbitales
DEF

Dispositif qui convertit directement la lumière solaire en électricité.

OBS

photopile : terme uniformisé par le Groupe de travail de la terminologie de la Station spatiale internationale (GTTSSI).

PHR

Alimentation par piles solaires.

Spanish

Save record 2

Record 3 2002-02-22

English

Subject field(s)
  • Semiconductors (Electronics)
  • Photoelectricity and Electron Optics
DEF

A device which converts radiant energy directly into electric energy by the photovoltaic process. Each cell produces a small potential difference, typically about 0.5 volts; an array of cells can provide useful electric power capacity.

OBS

Photovoltaic cells are the most promising of all the cell types and the term solar cell is generally taken to mean this type of cell.

Key term(s)
  • photocell

French

Domaine(s)
  • Semi-conducteurs (Électronique)
  • Photo-électricité et optique électronique
DEF

Dispositif utilisant l'effet photovoltaïque, qui convertit directement en électricité une partie de l'énergie du rayonnement du Soleil ou d'une autre source lumineuse.

CONT

Les photopiles sont des composants électroniques à semi conducteurs qui, lorsqu'ils sont éclairés par le rayonnement solaire, développent une force électromotrice capable de débiter un courant dans un circuit extérieur.

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Semiconductores (Electrónica)
  • Fotoelectricidad y óptica electrónica
DEF

Célula fotovoltaica de silicio utilizada para la transformación directa de la energía solar en eléctrica.

Save record 3

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