Phototube

quency response of vacuum devices is generally limited

by the transit time of the electrons from cathode to anode.

2 Applications
One major application of the phototube was the reading
of optical sound tracks for projected lms. Phototubes
were used in a variety of light-sensing applications until
they were superseded by photoresistors and photodiodes.

3 References
Two dierent types of phototubes
[1] J.B. Calvert (2002-01-16). Electronics 30 - Phototubes.
University of Denver.

A phototube or photoelectric cell is a type of gas-lled

or vacuum tube that is sensitive to light. Such a tube is
more correctly called a 'photoemissive cell' to distinguish
it from photovoltaic or photoconductive cells. Phototubes
were previously more widely used but are now replaced
in many applications by solid state photodetectors. The
photomultiplier tube is one of the most sensitive light detectors, and is still widely used in physics research.

[2] Mullard Technical Handbook Volume 4 Section 4:Photoemissive Cells (1960 Edition)

Operating principles

Phototubes operate according to the photoelectric effect: Incoming photons strike a photocathode, knocking electrons out of its surface, which are attracted
to an anode. Thus current is dependent on the frequency and intensity of incoming photons. Unlike
photomultiplier tubes, no amplication takes place, so the
current through the device is typically of the order of a
few microamperes.[1]
The light wavelength range over which the device is sensitive depends on the material used for the photoemissive
cathode. A caesium-antimony cathode gives a device that
is very sensitive in the violet to ultra-violet region with
sensitivity falling o to blindness to red light. Caesium
on oxidised silver gives a cathode that is most sensitive to
infra-red to red light, falling o towards blue, where the
sensitivity is low but not zero.[2]
Vacuum devices have a near constant anode current for
a given level of illumination relative to anode voltage.
Gas lled devices are more sensitive but the frequency
response to modulated illumination falls o at lower frequencies compared to the vacuum devices. The fre1

4 TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES

Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

4.1

Text

Phototube Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phototube?oldid=721979505 Contributors: RTC, Mako098765, Cmacd123, Wtshymanski, Frankie1969, Srleer, RattusMaximus, SmackBot, Dicklyon, Chetvorno, Thijs!bot, Ileresolu, Comakut, InvertRect, Gmazero, Funandtrvl, VolkovBot, SieBot, Mild Bill Hiccup, Sun Creator, Addbot, Dawynn, Mnmngb, Telementor, Erik Wannee, HRoestBot, MinimanDragon32, Full-date unlinking bot, GeneralCheese, F, Sundeepkullu, ClueBot NG, MerlIwBot, Asi013, KasparBot and Anonymous:
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4.2

Images

File:Phototubes.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/35/Phototubes.jpg License: CC BY 3.0 Contributors:

Own work Original artist: Grinevitski at en.wikipedia

4.3

Content license

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