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588 rectifier • reductionism
rectifier Abbreviation, rect. An electronic or electromechanical
device that converts alternating
current into pulsating direct current.
rectifier diode A heavy-duty tube or semiconductor
diode designed primarily to change alternating
current to pulsating direct current in power
supplies.
rectifier filter A circuit containing parallel capacitance,
sometimes in combination with series inductance,
intended for smoothing out the ripple
in the output of a power-supply rectifier.
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rectilinear chart
rectifier-filter system The rectifier plus powersupply-filter
combination for converting alternating
current into direct current.
rectifier photocell A photovoltaic cell consisting of
two layers of material with a semiconductor junction
between them. The device produces direct
current when exposed to visible light, infrared, or
ultraviolet radiation.
rectifier probe A diode-type probe used with a
direct-current (dc) voltmeter to measure radiofrequency
(RF) voltage. The diode rectifies the RF
signal and presents to the meter a dc voltage proportional
to the peak RF voltage.
rectifier stack An assembly of separate rectifier
disks or plates in series on a central bolt, as in
most selenium rectifiers.
rectifier tube A two-element electron tube, once
commonly used for converting alternating current
into pulsating direct current in high-voltage,
high-current power supplies.
rectifier-type meter See DIODE-TYPE METER.
rectilinear chart A graphic-recorder chart in
which the crossing coordinates are arcs, rather
than straight lines, to correspond to the swing of
the pen. Also see STRIP CHART.
rectilinear scan See RECTANGULAR SCAN, 1.
recurrent network A circuit in which several sections
of identical configuration (e.g., L sections)
are cascaded.
recurrent phenomenon A phenomenon that repeats
itself periodically.
recurrent sweep In an oscilloscope, a repetitive
horizontal sweep of the beam occurring at a frequency
determined by the settings of the sweep
controls. Also called REPETITIVE SWEEP. Compare
NONREPETITIVE SWEEP.
recursion 1. Generating a complete sequence of
functions or numbers by applying an algorithm to
initial values in the sequence. 2. In computer
programming and artificial intelligence, a logical
process containing loops in calculation or reasoning.
recursive Relating to a procedure or set of steps
that repeat endlessly.
Red Book The first format developed for compactdisc
data storage media, developed by Sony and
Philips. It is commonly used in digital audio systems.
See also CD-ROM, GREEN BOOK, OR-
ANGE BOOK, and YELLOW BOOK.
red-green-blue Abbreviation, RGB. In video applications,
the three primary colors from which all
other colors are derived. Also see COLOR TELE-
VISION.
red gun
In a three-gun color-television picture
tube, the electron gun whose (correctly adjusted)
beam strikes only the red phosphor dots on the
screen.
red oxide of iron An iron oxide of the general formula
Fe 2 O 3 , used as the magnetic coating of
recording tape. Also see IRON OXIDE.
red oxide of zinc See ZINCITE.
red-tape operation An operation or function
needed for organizational purposes, but that does
not directly contribute to the completion of the
task at hand.
reduced instruction set computer Abbreviation,
RISC. A computer architecture in which program
instructions are simplified to obtain enhanced
processing speed. It is useful especially in complex
graphics, animation, multimedia, and scientific
work requiring many calculations.
reductio ad absurdum A method of obtaining a
conclusion by proving that its negation results in
a contradiction. It is sometimes used in computer
programming involving mathematical proofs.
reduction In an electrochemical cell or battery, a
transfer of electrons to the active chemical.
reductionism The theory that all human thought
processes, including emotion and intuition, can