Photoconductivity in Ag₂O

Abstract

Abstract The spectral distribution of photoconductivity in Ag 2 O was measured on samples prepared in three different ways. The photoresponse was found to depend on the mode of preparation of samples and on previous light exposure. Samples prepared by pressing Ag 2 O powder against a cellulose backing showed a photoconductive peak around 0.9 μm, while thin Ag 2 O layers prepared by cathodic sputtering of silver in an oxygen atmosphere behaved like the ideal photoconductors: flat response in the visible and exponential decrease from 0.8 μm to longer wavelengths. Some infra‐red optical absorption and electrical conductivity measurements were also made. The results are compared to the behaviour of Cu 2 O, silver oxide's only structural analogue.