Optical devices and photovoltaic cell function

OPTICAL DEVICES
By;:Jerome S. Del Castillo Grade 10 –Atlas

What are Optical devices?
Optical devices manipulate
light waves to aid in viewing or
analyzing those waves to
determine properties of the
object in view.

An optical device either
processes light waves to enhance
an image for viewing, or analyzes
light waves (or photons) to
determine one of a number for
characteristics properties.

Stereoscope
an optical
device for
viewing
stereoscopic
photographs

Optical
Microscope
is a type
of microscope which
uses visible light and
a system of lenses to
magnify images of
small samples.

Optical
Telescope
A telescope that
gathers
and focuses light,
mainly from
the visible part of
the electromagnetic
spectrum, to create a
magnified image for
direct view.

Rochon Prism
optical device
that produces
plane-polarized
ultraviolet light)

Autofocus
an optical
device for
focussing a
camera or
other
instrument
automatically)

Optical Prism
optical device having a triangular
shape and made of glass or quartz; used
to deviate a beam or invert an image.

Projector
an optical
device for
projecting a
beam of light

Polarimeter
an optical device
used to measure
the rotation of the
plane of vibration of
polarized light

Nicol Prism
optical device
that produces
plane-polarized
light

Optical Maser
an acronym for
light amplification
by stimulated
emission of
radiation; an
optical device
that produces an
intense
monochromatic
beam of
coherent light
Laser

Kerr Cell
optical device
consisting of a
transparent cell with
two electrodes
between two polarizing
media; passes light only
if the two planes of
polarization are parallel;
used as a high-speed
shutter or to modulate a
laser beam.

View Finder
optical device
that helps a
user to find the
target of
interest

Diffraction
Grating
optical device
consisting of a
surface with many
parallel grooves in it;
disperses a beam of
light (or other
electromagnetic
radiation) into its
wavelengths to
produce its
spectrum.

Collimator
optical device
consisting of a tube
containing a convex
achromatic lens at one
end and a slit at the
other with the slit at the
focus of the lens; light
rays leave the slit as a
parallel beam

Coelostat
optical device
used to follow the
path of a celestial
body and reflect
its light into a
telescope; has a
movable and a
fixed mirror

Camera Lucida
an optical device
consisting of an
attachment that enables
an observer to view
simultaneously the image
and a drawing surface
for sketching it

Biprism
an optical device for obtaining
interference fringes

How does
photovoltaic cells
work?

What is Photovoltaic cell?
 Photovoltaic is the direct conversion of light
into electricity at the atomic level. Some
materials exhibit a property known as the
photoelectric effect that causes them to
absorb photons of light and release
electrons. When these free electrons are
captured, an electric current results that
can be used as electricity.

Optical devices and photovoltaic cell function

 The diagram above illustrates the operation of
a basic photovoltaic cell, also called a solar
cell. Solar cells are made of the same kinds of
semiconductor materials, such as silicon, used
in the microelectronics industry. For solar cells, a
thin semiconductor wafer is specially treated to
form an electric field, positive on one side and
negative on the other. When light energy strikes
the solar cell, electrons are knocked loose from
the atoms in the semiconductor material.

 If electrical conductors are attached to the
positive and negative sides, forming an
electrical circuit, the electrons can be captured
in the form of an electric current -- that is,
electricity. This electricity can then be used to
power a load, such as a light or a tool.
 A number of solar cells electrically connected to
each other and mounted in a support structure
or frame is called a photovoltaic module.
Modules are designed to supply electricity at a
certain voltage, such as a common 12 volts
system. The current produced is directly
dependent on how much light strikes the
module.

Optical devices and photovoltaic cell function

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Optical devices and photovoltaic cell function