1-6 I E S LIGHTING HANDBOOK

Effect of
illumination. It has been found that the photoelectric current
in vacuum varies directly with the illumination over a very wide range
(spectral distribution, polarization, and cathode potential remaining the
same). In gas-filled tubes the response is linear over only a limited range.
Effect of
polarization. If the illumination is polarized, the photoelectric
current will vary as the orientation of the polarization is changed (except
at normal incidence).
Effect of
wavelength. The more electropositive the metal the longer the
wavelength of its maximum photoelectric emission and the lower the fre-
quency threshold below which electrons are not liberated. (See Table 1-4.)
Table 1-4. The Electrode Potential Series
Li Rb K Cs Na Ba Sr Ca Mg Mn Zn Cr Fe* Cd Tl Co Ni Sn Pb Fef Sb Bi As Cu Ti Pt Hg Ag Au
HIGH LOW
*
ferrous
t
ferric
The maximum value of the initial velocity of a photoelectron and there-
fore its maximum kinetic energy decrease as the wavelength of the illumina-
tion increases.
The quantum theory provides the energy relationships which explain
this phenomenon. The energy E of a light quantum equals the product
of Planck's constant h by the frequency v.
E
=
hv
It is known that an amount of energy E (different for each metal) is
required to separate an electron from the atom with which it is associated.
Therefore, the energy of the liberated electron {\mv
2
)
is equal to that
of the incident quantum hv lessE'o, that required to free it from the metal:
i
mt
,2 _
fa
_
j
g'
where m mass of electron
v
=
velocity of electron
The barrier layer or 'photovoltaic cell, when illuminated, generates voltage
even though not connected to an external power source. The cell com-
prises a metal plate coated with a semiconductor (selenium on iron or
cuprous oxide on copper, for example). Upon exposure to light, electrons
liberated from the metal surface are trapped at the interface unless there
is an external circuit provided through which they may escape. In photo-
graphic and illumination meters, this circuit includes a small microam-
meter calibrated in units of illumination. (See Fig. 1-5.) This type is
commonly used in photographic exposure meters and portable illumina-
tion meters.