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Alluxa - Optical Coatings LB 8/23
Photonics Dictionary

acceptor

In various scientific fields, the term acceptor has distinct meanings:

Chemistry: An acceptor is an atom, ion, or molecule that receives electrons during a chemical reaction. In the context of redox reactions, the acceptor is the substance that gains electrons and is thus reduced. Common examples include oxygen in combustion reactions or metal ions in electrochemical cells.

Semiconductor physics:
In semiconductors, an acceptor is an impurity atom that can accept an electron from the valence band, creating a hole (positive charge carrier) in the process. This type of doping introduces p-type conductivity to the semiconductor material. Common acceptor atoms in silicon semiconductors include boron, aluminum, and gallium.

Biochemistry: An acceptor molecule is one that receives a functional group, electron, or atom from another molecule during a biochemical reaction. For instance, in cellular respiration, oxygen acts as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain, enabling the production of ATP.

Molecular biology:
In the context of dna replication and repair, acceptor sites are specific locations on a molecule where enzymes can add nucleotides or other molecules.

In each context, the acceptor plays a crucial role in facilitating various chemical, physical, or biological processes by receiving electrons, atoms, or molecules.
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