Skip to main content

P

  • Chapter
  • 326 Accesses

Abstract

The interaction that forms the basis of a number of detectors including photography, CCDs and photodiodes. In the process a substance, usually silicon, absorbs a photon. The energy from the photon lifts an electron from the valence to the conduction band, and leaves a positive “hole” in the valance band. The name of the process thus derives from the production of an electron-hole pair.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2002 Springer-Verlag London

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Kitchin, C. (2002). P. In: Illustrated Dictionary of Practical Astronomy. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-0175-8_16

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-0175-8_16

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-85233-559-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-0175-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics