ELECTRET MICROPHONE Meaning and
Definition
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An electret microphone is a type of condenser microphone that employs a permanently charged material, known as an electret, to convert sound waves into electrical signals. It is a widely used and highly sensitive transducer often utilized in various audio applications like recording studios, public address systems, telecommunications, and voice recognition technologies.
The electret microphone consists of three key components: a diaphragm, a backplate, and an electret material. The diaphragm is a thin membrane that vibrates in response to sound waves, while the backplate functions as a fixed plate with perforations. These two components form a capacitance, a variable electrical component that stores charge. The electret, which is a piece of material with a permanently fixed charge, is positioned near the diaphragm.
As sound waves reach the diaphragm, it vibrates, causing a change in the distance between the diaphragm and the electret. This alteration in distance leads to a varying capacitance, resulting in an electric signal proportional to the sound wave intensity. This signal is then amplified and processed further to produce an audio output.
Electret microphones offer several advantages including compact size, low cost, and excellent frequency response. They also provide good sensitivity and are relatively immune to environmental conditions. However, over time, the performance of electret microphones may degrade due to the gradual loss of electret material's charge, limiting their lifespan.
Overall, electret microphones are widely used in both professional and consumer audio applications due to their reliable performance, affordability, and versatility in capturing sound signals with high fidelity.
Etymology of ELECTRET MICROPHONE
The etymology of the word "electret microphone" comes from the combination of two main elements: "electret" and "microphone".
1. Electret: The term "electret" is derived from the words "electric" and "magnet", indicating a material with a quasi-permanent electric charge. It was coined in 1961 by the Japanese engineer Yasuo Murakami, who combined "electric" and "magnet", giving birth to the word "electret". It refers to a dielectric material that has been charged with a removable charge, allowing it to maintain an electric field over an extended period without an external power source.
2. Microphone: The term "microphone" combines the Greek words "mikros" meaning "small" and "phone" meaning "sound".
