Photovoltaic Effects in CdS Crystals

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Abstract
Photovoltages were obtained in CdS crystals using inhomogeneous excitation; that is, the excitation at one electrode was much larger than at the other electrode. Voltages in the range of 200 millivolts were obtained, with the region of high excitation always becoming positive. Two types of electrode arrangements were used. Some crystals were contacted directly with electrodes, others were insulated from the electrodes by thin Mylar sheets. In the first arrangement the photovoltages were permanent, in the second transient. The photovoltage showed only a weak dependence on intensity, and only wavelengths near or shorter than that corresponding to the absorption edge were effective. With metal electrodes the photovoltages were small. However, with jelly electrodes contacting the crystals photovoltages were almost as large as for the insulated crystals.