photocathode

noun

pho·​to·​cath·​ode ˌfō-tō-ˈka-ˌthōd How to pronounce photocathode (audio)
: a cathode that emits electrons when exposed to radiant energy and especially light

Examples of photocathode in a Sentence

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As a result, in addition to producing hydrogen, the perovskite photocathode also generates the electricity that powers the entire system, allowing the device to operate without an external power supply. — New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026 The process begins when a laser pulse hits a photocathode, releasing a burst of electrons that form the initial beam. — IEEE Spectrum, 6 Mar. 2026 Perhaps the best night vision monocular on the market, with a Gen 3 photocathode. — Matt Morris, Space.com, 25 May 2025 While the part of the device that converted the photon to an electron is called a photocathode, this part that turns the volume up on the electron is known as the microchannel plate. — Rob Verger, Popular Science, 16 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of photocathode was in 1930

Rhymes for photocathode

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Browse Nearby Words

photo-call
photocathode
photocell
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Cite this Entry

“Photocathode.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/photocathode. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Medical Definition

photocathode

noun
pho·​to·​cath·​ode -ˈkath-ˌōd How to pronounce photocathode (audio)
: a cathode (as in a photoelectric cell) that emits electrons when exposed to light or other radiation

More from Merriam-Webster on photocathode

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about photocathode

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