When light falls onto a CCD, what are photons converted into?

When light, in the form of photons, strikes a Charge-Coupled Device (CCD), the energy from these photons is absorbed by the semiconductor material in the CCD. This interaction causes the silicon atoms within the CCD to release electrons. The release of these electrons is what creates an electrical charge proportional to the intensity of the incoming light, allowing the CCD to convert light into an electrical signal.

This process is crucial for capturing images in digital cameras and other imaging devices, as it enables the translation of visual information into a format that can be processed and recorded. The ability to convert photons into electrons is fundamental to the operation of CCDs and is what distinguishes them as effective sensors for light detection.