An electrode in a photomultiplier tube that releases electrons when struck by incoming electrons or photons, creating a cascade effect to amplify signals.
From 'dy-' (indicating a secondary stage) + 'node' (from Greek 'hodos' meaning path). The term was coined in the 20th century to describe electron multiplication stages in vacuum tubes.
Dynodes are the secret ingredient that lets scientists detect incredibly faint light from distant stars—each electron hitting a dynode creates several new electrons, creating an avalanche effect that can multiply a signal a million times over!
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