Abstract
A COMMERCIALLY available selenium-type photovoltaic cell was irradiated with X-rays produced with a commercial type of low-voltage X-ray tube with a thermionic cathode and an inclined copper target. Lead covers with circular apertures of different diameters were placed over the photocell to alter the flux of X-rays on the surface of the cell at a constant X-radiation intensity, and the X-radiation intensity was varied by changing the anode current of the X-ray tube. Fig. 1 shows a family of curves representing the photocell current, I p as a function of the X-ray tube anode current, I a, with the anode voltage, V a as parameter, the curves having been obtained with a distance of 25 mm. between the photosensitive surface of the cell and the centre of the target of the X-ray tube, 17.5 mm. of the distance being in the vacuum space of the tube, 1.5 mm. the thickness of its cylindrical envelope of soda-lime glass, and the remainder of the air space between the tube and the photocell surface. The curves marked A refer to an aperture of 240 mm.2 in the lead cover, and those marked B refer to a 60-mm.2 aperture.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
FEINBERG, R. Photoelectric Response of Selenium-type Photovoltaic Cells to X-Rays. Nature 181, 1057 (1958). https://doi.org/10.1038/1811057a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/1811057a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.