emitter
(ɪˈmɪtə(r))
[f. emit v. + -er.]
1. That which emits. Const. of.
| 1883 Tyndall Radiation in Contemp. Rev., Grasses were powerful emitters of heat. 1926 Spectator 17 Apr. 696/1 Tungsten a powerful emitter of ultra-violet rays, when it is incandescent. 1927 A. Huxley Proper Studies 72 No emitter of singular opinions is ever reasonable in the eyes of the..majority. |
2. An electrode which emits current-carriers; an element in a transistor. Also attrib. and Comb., as emitter-base, emitter-follower, emitter-junction, emitter-resistance.
| 1948 Physical Rev. LXXIV. 230/1 Two [electrodes], called the emitter and collector, are of the point-contact rectifier type. 1957 Electronic Engin. XXIX. 3 The emitter resistance is inversely proportional to the emitter current. 1958 Ibid. XXX. 200 The linear emitter-follower is characterized by a low impedance emitter output terminal, whose voltage approximates that of its base. 1962 Simpson & Richards Junction Transistors ii. 25 The material from which these injected carriers come..is called the emitter and the junction between it and the base is called the emitter junction. Ibid. ix. 202 Because the emitter-base junction is a high-efficiency hole injector, very few electrons are removed via the emitter. |