Charge-Coupled Device

from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)

charge-coupled device

   <electronics> (CCD) A semiconductor technology used to build
   light-sensitive electronic devices such as cameras and image
   scanners.  CCDs can be made to detect either colour or
   black-and-white.  Each CCD chip consists of an array of
   light-sensitive photocells.  The photocell is sensitised by
   giving it an electrical charge prior to exposure.

   (2006-04-29)