Physics
Scientific paper
Oct 2002
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002aps..gecqwp020s&link_type=abstract
American Physical Society, 55th Gaseous Electronic Conference, October 15-18, 2002, Minneapolis, MN, Meeting ID GEC02, abstract
Physics
Scientific paper
The famous Franck-Hertz experiment very convincing demonstrates the existence of discrete energy states in atomic systems. It has been described in many textbooks and repeated very frequently in various variants. However, most of these explanations are based on simplifying assumptions concerning the energy distribution and the elastic collisions of the electrons. Therefore, a study of the behavior of the electron gas on a rigorous kinetic basis has been performed considering a mercury vapor in a cylindric Franck-Hertz tube. In the model the radially inhomogeneous Boltzmann equation is solved taking into account an accelerating field between the central cathode and the grid and a retarding one between the grid and the anode. Furthermore, the extraction of electrons which are trapped around the grid is included by a spatially narrow lifetime term. After solving the Boltzmann equation for a series of cathode-grid voltages and analyzing the anode current the well-known Franck-Hertz curve is obtained. The analysis of the electron power balance reveals the impact of the energy loss in elastic collisions as well as of the changing importance of the two lowest exciting states of the mercury atom on the maxima positions of the Franck-Hertz curve. The significant changes of the latter with the pressure can be explained by these effects.
Sigeneger Florian
Winkler Rolf
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