TERMIUM Plus®

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PHOTOVALVE [1 record]

Record 1 2011-05-31

English

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

An electronic tube whose photocathode emits electrons by the external photoelectric effect.

OBS

The terms photoelectric cell and photocell are popularly used to designate what, in fact, are phototubes. This is to be discouraged, since, in some contexts, a phototube may be considered as but one type of photoelectric cell, while, in others, phototubes are entirely excluded from the concept of photoelectric cells.

OBS

electric eye: This term is probably more often used as a synonym of a more general concept of photoelectric cell (including photoconductive devices). It is a popular and imprecise term, and using it with reference to phototubes would therefore seem inadvisable. Moreover, it may also designate another, unrelated, type of device (also called a magic eye) formerly used for tuning radio receivers.

Key term(s)
  • photo-electric tube
  • photo-emissive cell

French

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

Tube électronique, à vide ou à gaz, comportant une photocathode capable d'émettre des électrons par effet photoélectrique externe.

OBS

Le terme cellule photoélectrique est souvent, dans le langage courant, employé comme synonyme de cellule photoémissive, ou phototube. En fait, dans certains contextes, les phototubes ne constituent qu'une catégorie de cellules photoélectriques, alors que dans d'autres, ils en sont carrément exclus.

OBS

photoélectrique : Cette graphie, puisée des Rectifications de l'orthographe recommandées par le Conseil supérieur de la langue française, est attestée dans le Petit Robert (2004).

Key term(s)
  • tube photo-électrique

Spanish

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