Photoelectric efffect question

[NMphoton]

Hey there,
I know this may seem like a stupid question but what is the relationship between the maximum electric current and the intensity of light?

:)

 

[Bob S]

If you have a thin surface emitting photoelectrons (semitransparent film on the back side of a clear glass window), and a large electric field perpendicular to the surface, like in photomultipliers PMTs), the theoretical maximum quantum efficiency (QE) is 1. In this case, 6.25 x 10^18 photons per sec produces 1 amp of photoelectrons. In actual cases, PMTs have exceeded a QE of 50% at 4000 Angstroms.

 

[Entropia]

Hello,

That is not a stupid question at all! In fact, it is a very valid and important question in the study of the photoelectric effect. The intensity of light and the maximum electric current are directly related through the photoelectric effect. This phenomenon occurs when light (photons) strikes a material and causes electrons to be emitted from its surface. The maximum electric current is the maximum number of electrons that can be emitted from the material per unit time. The intensity of light determines the number of photons that are hitting the material per unit area per unit time. Therefore, the higher the intensity of light, the more photons are hitting the material and the higher the maximum electric current will be. This relationship is described by the equation I = kI0, where I is the maximum electric current, k is a constant, and I0 is the intensity of light. I hope this helps clarify the relationship between these two factors. Please let me know if you have any further questions.