Effect of Ultra-Violet Irradiation on the Electrical Conductivity of Cathodes coated with Barium Oxide

IT has been known for some years that irradiation with ultra-violet light can have an important effect on the photoelectric and thermionic properties of a cathode coated with barium oxide. Ultra-violet irradiation at room temperature causes an enhancement of photoelectric emission induced by illumin...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature (London) 1961-01, Vol.191 (4796), p.1383-1384
Main Author: MEE, C. H. B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Humanities and Social Sciences
letter
multidisciplinary
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
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Summary:IT has been known for some years that irradiation with ultra-violet light can have an important effect on the photoelectric and thermionic properties of a cathode coated with barium oxide. Ultra-violet irradiation at room temperature causes an enhancement of photoelectric emission induced by illumination of the cathode by light of other wave-lengths 1,2 , and a pronounced change in the spectral sensitivity curves for photoelectric emission 1–5 and photoconductivity 5 is observed after ultra-violet treatment. The enhancement is only observed at low temperatures and may be removed by heating the cathode to about 700° K. Ultra-violet irradiation may also cause an enhancement of thermionic emission 2 . It is the purpose of this communication to report the results of preliminary observations of the effect of ultraviolet irradiation on the dark electrical conductivity of cathodes coated with barium oxide, as distinct from its enhancing effect on photoconductivity 5 .
ISSN:0028-0836
1476-4687
DOI:10.1038/1911383a0