The Photoelectric Effect of Molten Tin and Two of Its Allotropic Modifications

The photoelectric effect of molten tin and two of its allotropic modifications (β and γ) is investigated. An apparatus is described which permits the measurement of the photoelectric emission at the different changes of state. Because of the small photoelectric sensibility of tin, a Hoffmann electrometer had to be used with a sensitivity of ca 10^-18 coul./sec. The range of temperature was 50°-600°C. The range of wave-lengths from 2300A to 2900A. Taking all precaution to obtain monochromatic light and also taking into account the changes in the absorption of the metal, it was found that the photoelectric emission is independent of temperature as long as the phase of the cathode does not change. On the other hand, a change of state changes very definitely both its intensity and threshold, so that the denser the phase, the larger the work function. The threshold for liquid tin was found at hν₀=2925±10A; for γ-tin (hexagonal) 2820±10A; for β-tin (tetragonal) 2740±10A. The photoelectric curve of crystallization shows that the hexagonal modification starts to be unstable below 200°±2°C; and, also, that the speed of transformation is very slow. On account of the fact that the transformation can be followed photoelectrically, it is possible to have a criterion for the cleanliness of the surface. It seems probable that the quantum-equivalent η_e changes also with the phase, so that the denser phase has the larger η_e.