An integrated circuit of linked capacitors that converts incoming light into electron charges and shifts them out as a signal, making it a foundational sensor for digital cameras, camcorders and television equipment. Willard Boyle and George Smith invented it at Bell Labs in 1969, work for which both shared the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physics.
Facts
Introduced Year OriginWillard Boyle and George Smith invented the CCD at Bell Labs while investigating semiconductor bubble memory; both shared the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physics for it. CMOS sensors have displaced the CCD in most consumer devices since the late 2010s, though CCDs remain preferred in scientific and professional imaging. 1 FAQs
Is the CCD still the main sensor in digital cameras?
No, not in most consumer gear: CMOS sensors overtook the CCD in ordinary cameras during the late 2010s, though CCDs are still preferred for scientific and professional imaging.
Not any longer in most consumer devices. CMOS sensors have displaced the CCD in most consumer cameras and camcorders since the late 2010s, largely because CMOS is cheaper to manufacture at scale and uses less power. CCDs remain preferred, though, in scientific and professional imaging, where their more uniform, lower-noise output still matters more than cost.
Connections
Associated With
Developed By
Source Nobel Prize in Physics 2009 press release
In Medium
Sources
1. Wikipedia
Wikimedia FoundationInventors and History sectionQuote, Inventors and History section
This led to the invention of the charge-coupled device by Boyle and Smith in 1969.
Charge-coupled device (Wikipedia)
Overview section
CCD sensors are a major technology used in digital imaging.
Role in Digital Photography section
since the late 2010s CMOS sensors are the dominant technology, having largely if not completely replaced CCD image sensors
View the SourceNobel Prize in Physics 2009 press release
Developed By: George E. Smith, Press release 6 October 2009Quote, Developed By: George E. Smith, Press release 6 October 2009
for the invention of an imaging semiconductor circuit
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.