Effect of Potential on Photocurrent

Most recent answer: 06/25/2013

Q:
effect of potential on photocurrent
- venu (age 18)
vizag,andhrapradesh,india
A:

Dear Venu,

As you probably know when a photon strikes an atom an electron may be ejected.   The maximum kinetic energy of the electron is related to the frequency (inverse wavelength) of the photon.   Even with a slight negative bias voltage you can still observe a current up to the "stopping voltage" which is proportional to the frequency of the incident photon.   Above a certain positive voltage the amount of current levels out.   Here are some plots of a few I vs V curves for different wavelengths.

 

LeeH


(published on 06/25/2013)