Photoconductive cell and

Photomultiplier tube

B.Sc . Part- II. (Physics honours and Subsidiary)

By
Mr. Tinku Kumar
Assistant Professor (PT)
Department of Physics Patna Science
College, Patna University, Patna
Email id:- tinkujaymatadi@gmail.com
 Photoconductive cell and
photomultiplier tube
Introduction :

Photo-conductive cell :- These cells are based on the property

that the resistance of certain substances such as selenium, lead-sulphide,

some compounds of thalium etc, dercreases with increase in

illumination.

In such a cell a thin layer of selenium is placed below a metalic

transparent film. This combination is fixed on iron plate and a potential

difference of 100 volts is applied between iron and selenium from an

external battery. A galvanometer is included in the circuit. When light

falls on the metalic film (a deflection will be observed in the

galvanometer), the resistance of selenium decreases and a current begins

to flow through the external circuit containing resistance R and battery B

connected between iron plate and metalic film. The current varies with

the variation of intensity of light. There is considerable lag between the

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incidence of light and the time taken for the cell to drop to the minumum

and also in its recovery back, when the source of illunination is

withdrawn the use of such cells is now confined to operating relays for

controlling illumination.

Photo multiplier tube :- It is based on the principle of secondary

emission. When light strikes the surface of photosensitive metal plate C,

it causes the ejection of photoelectrons from it (Fig.). These electrons are

then attracted to a metal surface called a dynode, by setting a P.D.

between the cathode C and the dynode 1. High energy electrons striking

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a metal surface can cause the ejection of one or more secondary

electrons from the surface. Suppose that a photoelectron striking dynode

1 produces x electrons by secondary emission. These electrons are then

directed towards dynode 2 by making its potential higher than that of

dynode 1. Suppose x electrons are again ejected by secondary emission

for each incident electron. Then, for each electron emitted by the

photosensitive plate, there are now x2 electrons and so on. If there are

several dynode, each at a potential higher than the preceding one, an

avalanche of electrons reaches the collector plate A. A strong current

flows in the outer circuit. This device is used to amplify very weak light

signals.

The electron beam in this way is multiplied at each of the

dynode used. Finally the beam is guided to the anode. Photo-multiplier

tube is availabe which can magnify current by a factor106 or even

greater to that!

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Some Applications of Photo Cells:

1. Optical sound reproduction:- In taking films (i.e., cinema)

sound is recorded on a part of the film along with the photograph of the

scene. Both picture and sound are projected simultaneously on the

screen in perfect synchronism. In reproduction of sound photo tubes are

essential parts of the technique.

2. Burglar alarm:- In important establishment a photo cell is

used to raise an alarm on the possible entry of any unwanted person. A

beam of ultra-violet light is allowed to fall on a photo cell and this

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current keeps the bell circuit open, the beam is otherwise not visible. As

soon as any person cuts the passage of beam the photo electric current is

momentarily cut-off and bell circuit closes and an alarm is raised.

3. Television camera:- Photo tubes are used in telecasting

scenes. In facts a photo tube only provides an electrical signal for each

part of the scene to be casted. This signal after suitable amplification and

modulation is sent as T.V. signal to radiating antenna. Some importance

T.V. cameras are vidiocon, image-orthicon and image-iconoscope.

4. Micro photo meters:- Photo tubes can be made directly read

the intensity of light and to analyse the fine, structure of spectral lines.

Such tubes are called micro-photometers.

5. Daylight recorder:- These are used by meteologists to record

day light. The current produced in a photo cell with day-light is occupied

with a clock unit and a current-time curve is plotted, giving a measure of

day-light variation.

6. Light controlled switches (Remote control swithes):- The

fading of day-light cuts the photo-current which otherwise operated as

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relay and thereby switches on the street-light. Again when the sun

appears, the photo cell starts working and street-light cut-off during day

time.

7. Automatic counters:- Here as an objects cuts a beam light, the

electric current is cut-off which is recorded by a counter.

8. Photo electric sorter:- Bright and dark objects such as cigars

of different grades of tobacco reflects light unequally. If they move

along a reflected beam of light strikes a photo cell which produces

varying currents. This varying current in tube operates an electro-

mechanical device which sorts out the cigars of unwanted grades.

9. Complexion mirror:- The reflected beam of light from the

face (or from any other part) of a person falls on a photo tube which

produces corresponding photo current. The intensity of reflected beam is

a measure of the colour of the skin. The photo-current becomes a

function of one’s complexion i.e., colour of the skin.

10. Temperature Indicator:- Photo tubes have successfully been

used as temperature indicator and control devices.

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 11. Plank’s constant:- Einstein’s equation provides one of the

most accurate methods for the determination of Planck’s constant. This

requires the help of a photo-tube.

12. Solar cell:- The source of electrical power in a artificial

satellite is a set of solar panels which consists of a large number of solar-

cells. These cells charge some stronger cells in the satellite which

operate various scientific instruments.

13. Exposure meter:- Intensity of light is measured with this

instrument for accurate photography.

Thank You