Charge Transfer in Light Effect Under Visible Radiation in an Ozoniser Discharge

Abstract

Two fresh discharge vessels (1 and 2) of Siemen’s ozoniser type having the same height but
different surface-to-volume ratios have been fabricated by enclosing argon at 10 mm mercury.
By immersing these in electrolytic solution and by subjecting these to a definite high 50 Hz ac
voltage, the discharge count rates in dark (Cf )D and under light (Cf )L have been determined
using a scaler held at different bias-voltages. The plot of the ratio (C1f / C2f )D and (C1f / C2f )L
of discharge counts versus pulse height (bias-voltage) shows that this ratio for a constant
potential of 3.5 kV (rms) is initially large in value, then rapidly decreases to a minimum. It is also
observed that more is the surface-to-volume ratio, more is the magnitude of net effect of irradiation.
Further, the pulse height analysis shows that the charge carried by the pulses to the electrodes
(charge transfer) decreases under illumination. A possible mechanism to explain the net effect
of the discharge current ratio in the light of pulse height measurements is discussed.