Certain Photoelectric Properties of Gold

Abstract

Variations in the photoelectric behavior of a gold filament were studied both during an extended outgassing, and later upon reaching a stable condition.Changes in photoelectric properties as outgassing proceeded.---Full arc sensitivity rose quickly in the initial period, then decreased slowly to a stable value. Fatigue curves showed a systematic change from a negative fatigue (i.e. a decrease in sensitivity with time of standing) at the beginning to a gradually increasing positive fatigue which slowly decreased to zero. A shift in long wave limit consistant with the change in full arc sensitivity was observed.Changes in photoelectric properties produced by increasing temperature.--- Full arc sensitivity decreased slightly. Individual line sensitivity was studied by use of a quartz double monochromator. Lines close to the long wave limit increased enormously in sensitivity with temperature, for those more removed this was less marked, while below 2350A there was a slight decrease. A shift in long wave limit toward the red was observed during the outgassing period and the final fatigueless state. During this latter period photo-current per unit light intensity curves established a shift in long wave limit from 2560A to 2610A between temperatures of 20\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C and 740\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C.