Final answer:
CCD sensors (b) are solid-state devices that convert visible light into electrons, extensively used in digital cameras and imaging devices, and operate by absorbing photons and generating a stream of electrons stored as pixels.
Step-by-step explanation:
The solid-state devices that convert visible light into electrons are CCD sensors (b). CCD, which stands for Charge-Coupled Device, is a semiconductor device that converts photons of light into electrons, the basic carriers of electricity in semiconductors. When photons hit the CCD sensor, they are absorbed by the material and generate a stream of charged particles or electrons. These electrons are then stored and counted, with each location where the radiation is counted referred to as a pixel. This technology is extensively used in image capturing devices like cameras, including those found in telescopes for astronomical observations and more commonly in digital cameras and cell phones.