THE FRANCK-HERTZ EXPERIMENT INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND Bound systems, such as atoms and molecules, possess stationary states,

That is, the total energy of the atom or molecule is quantized, with one possible value of the total energy corresponding to each of the allowed states. When the atom or molecule is in a stationary state, its total energy is constant. In a stationary state, the atom neither absorbs nor radiates energy. The energies corresponding to the stationary states are called the energy levels of the system. An atom or molecule can undergo a transition from one stationary state to another of higher energy only by absorbing exactly the correct amount of energy from an external source; similarly, if a transition occurs from one state to another of lower energy, the energy difference must be emitted to the surrounding. The first experimental evidence for this was obtained in an experiment by Franck and Hertz in 1914, for which they received the Nobel Prize for physics in 1926. The following discussion is taken from the book Fundamental University Physics by Alonso and Finn: Experimental Evidence of Stationary States So far we have introduced the idea of stationary states as a convenient concept to explain the discrete spectrum of atomic systems. However, the existence of transitions between stationary states is amply corroborated by many experiments. The most characteristic is that of inelastic collisions, in which part of the kinetic energy of the projectile is transferred as internal energy to the target. These are called inelastic collisions of the first kind. Inelastic collisions of the second kind correspond to the reverse process. Suppose that a fast particle q collides with another system A (which may be an atom, molecule, or nucleus) in its ground state of energy E1. As a result of the projectile-system interaction (which may be electromagnetic or nuclear) there is an exchange if energy. Let E2 be the energy if the first excited state of the system. The collision will be elastic (i.e., the kinetic energy will be conserved) unless the projectile has enough kinetic energy to transfer the excitation energy E2 E1 to the target. When this happens the collision is inelastic, and we may express it by
A + q fast ! A * + q slow

When the mass of the projectile q is very small compared with that of the target A, as happens for the case of an electron colliding with an atom, the condition for inelastic collision (see Example 1.7) is
E k " E 2 ! E1

(1:36)

1 2 mv is the kinetic energy of the projectile before the collision. The kinetic energy 2 of the projectile after the collision is then E k ' = E k ! ( E 2 ! E1 ) , since the energy lost by the projectile in the collision is E2 - E1.

where E k =

To give a concrete example, suppose that an electron of kinetic energy Ek moves through a substance, let us say mercury vapor. Provided that Ek is smaller than the first excitation energy of mercury, E2 - E1, the collisions are all elastic and the electron moves through the vapor, losing energy very slowly, since the maximum kinetic energy lost in each collision (see Problem 1.55) is approximately
$E k # !4(me / M ) E k # 5 " 10 !6 E k

However, if E is larger than E2 - E1, the collision may be inelastic and the electron may lose the energy E2 - E1 in a single encounter. If the initial kinetic energy of the electron was not much larger than E2 - E1, the energy of the electron after the inelastic collision is insufficient to excite other atoms. Thereafter the successive collisions of the electron will be elastic. But if the kinetic energy of the electron was initially very large, it may still suffer a few more inelastic collisions, losing the energy E2 - E1 at each collision and producing more excited atoms before being slowed down below the threshold for inelastic collisions. This process was observed for the first time in 1914 by Franck and Hertz. Their experimental arrangement is indicated schematically in Fig. 1-17. A heated filament F emits electrons which are accelerated toward the grid C by a variable Potential V. The space between F and G is filled with mercury vapor. Between the grid G and the collecting plate P a small retarding potential V, of approximately 0.5 volt, is applied so that those electrons which are left with very little kinetic energy after one or more inelastic collisions cannot reach the plate and are not registered by the galvanometer. As V is increased, the plate current I fluctuates as shown in Fig. 1-18, the peaks occurring at a spacing of about 4.9 volts. The first dip corresponds to electrons that lose all their kinetic energy after one inelastic collision with a mercury atom, which is then left in an excited state. The second dip corresponds to those electrons that suffered two inelastic collisions with two mercury atoms, losing all their kinetic energy, and so on. The excited mercury atoms return to their ground state by emission of a photon, according to Hg* ! Hg + hv with hv =E2 - E1. From spectroscopic evidence we know that mercury vapor, when excited, emits radiation whose wavelength is 2.536 x 10-7 m (or 2536 A), corresponding to a photon of energy hv equal to 4.86 eV. Radiation of this wavelength is observed coming from the mercury vapor during the passage of the electron beam through the vapor. Thus this simple experiment is one of the most striking proofs of the existence of stationary states.

APPARATUS AND MANUFACTURERS INFORMATION KLINGER EDUCATIONAL PRODUCTS CDRR 11249 14TH ROAD COLLEGE POINT, NEW YORK 11356 (718) 461-1822 The Franck-Hertz-experiment (1913, Nobel Prize 1926) with the well-defined periodic and equidistant maxima and minima of the collector electrode current when exciting the mercury resonance line at 253.7 nm wavelength, is undoubtedly one of the most impressive experiments to demonstrate and verify the quantum theory. This experiment provides direct proof for the truth of the concepts of quantum theory.

The following apparatus is required for carrying out the experiment: FranckHertz-Tube No. 6751, on a Front Panel No. 6753, in an Oven No. 6752 Operating Unit for Franck-Hertz-Experiment No. 6756 (This unit provides all voltages required and contains also a DC-amplifier.) The experiment can be alternatively carried out with the following equipment:

A 6.3 V DC or AC voltage source (cathode heating voltage) and 0 to +70 V continuously variable DC voltage source (as accelerating voltage), e.g.Mains Rectifier Unit 5211. A measuring amplifier, current sensitivity to 10-11 (NEVA No.7212) with shielded connecting cable (NEVA No.7256) and read-out meter. (Digital picoammeter or Electrometer) A DC voltage source of about 1.5 V as opposing voltage (pocket lamp battery or accumulator with voltage divider). A thermometer reading up TO 2000 C (NEVA no. 4052) A voltmeter with 3 V DC and 100 V DC measuring ranges. Miscellaneous connecting leads. The Franck-Hertz-Tube (No.6751) is a three-electrode tube with indirectly heated oxide-coated cathode, grid-form anode and collector electrode. The electrodes are arranged in plane-parallel manner. The distance between the cathode and the anode (8 mm) is large compared with the mean free path length in the mercury vapour atmosphere (at 1800 C) in order to ensure a high collision probability. On the other hand, the separation between the anode and the collector electrode is small. During manufacture, the tube is provided with a highly activated contact getter and exhausted to high vacuum. The getter is effective for a long time, so that no deterioration of the characteristics through energy-consuming molecular gases takes place when operating the tube. The envelope wall between the anode and the collector electrode carries a vacuum-proof sealedin protective ring made of sintered carborundum, to prevent leakage currents via the ionically conducting hot glass wall. The tube contains a drop of highly purified mercury. A 6.3 V DC or AC voltage source is required for heating the cathode. The heater current should be at least 033 A.

The Heating Oven consists of a steel plate cabinet with the dimensions 240 x 160 x 140 mm3. The oven is heated with a tubular radiator mounted on the floor of the oven. The power consumption is 400 Watts. A bimetal switch which can be adjusted with a control knob from the exterior serves for setting and stabilizing the oven temperature. The oven heater may be connected only to an AC supply; otherwise arcing would damage the bimetal contact. The resulting current curve as a function of the accelerating voltage is shown in Fig 4 and Fig. 5. The current minima are spaced at intervals of 4.9 V, showing that the excitation energy of the mercury atoms is 4.9 eV. The spectral frequency corresponding to this energy is
v= E 4.9V = 1.18 ! 1015 Hz , i.e. "15 h 4.133 ! 10 eVs

and the corresponding wavelength is

Note: A contact potential of about 2 V exists between the cathode and the anode of the tube, so that the first current minimum is found for an applied accelerating voltage of about 7 V.

Procedure for carrying out the experiment Connect the heating oven to a grounded AC mains power point with the aid of the provided mains cable. Set the bimetal contact switch to the desired temperature. The temperature can be read on the thermometer inserted to the center of the oven. This temperature will be reached after a warm-up time of 10 to 15 minutes (e.g. 1700 C). The temperature set in this manner is automatically held constant (even if the oven is switched off and then re-used after a long idle period). Establish the connections to the operating unit (respectively to the voltage sources and to the measuring amplifier) according to Fig 1 and the markings on the front panel. A shielded cable (No. 7256) must be used for the connection from the collector electrode to the amplifier input. Make sure that the polarities of the accelerating voltage and opposing voltage are correct. The negative pole of the accelerating voltage must be connected to the cathode socket K (bottom right). If you are using separate voltage sources (accelerating voltage, cathode heating voltage and opposing voltage) they must be floating to ground.(no galvanic connection to ground or chassis), because the apparatus is already grounded via the measuring amplifier. The indirectly heated cathode requires a warm-up time of about 90 seconds after applying the heater voltage. Thereafter slowly increase the accelerating voltage commencing from 0 Volts. A current then flows from the collector electrode to the anode and this current is indicated by the measuring amplifier. The magnitude of this current is of the order of 10-10A. The current sensitivity of the measuring amplifier must be set accordingly. The polarity of the collector electrode is negative with respect to the anode. Correct corresponding polarity must be observed for the meter connected to the output of the measuring amplifier. The collector electrode current as a function of the accelerating voltage shows periodically recurrent and equidistant maxima and minima, whereby the minima are spaced at intervals of 4.9 V. A contact potential of about 2 V exists in the tube between the cathode and the anode, so that the first current minimum lies at about 7 V. Figs. 4 and 5 show the collector electrode current as a function of the accelerating voltage. The form of the curve depends strongly on the oven temperature. At low temperatures (around 1500) the first minima are developed more strongly but the curve rises rapidly (Fig.4). The tube thereby strikes at about 30 V. With increasing oven temperature progressively more minima are obtained and the curve remains confined in a narrow current range. But the first minimum is then less pronounced and may even cease to be detectable. The emission current in the tube and thus the collector electrode current are affected by the cathode temperature. If the current is too small the cathode heater voltage may be increased (e.g. to 8 V). The heater current must then be adjusted with a rheostat or rotary potentiometer control (about 10 ) such that the collector electrode current is of the order 10-10 A with 50 V accelerating voltage. The heater circuit resistor must be placed in series with the connection to the left-hand heater connecting socket (H). The heater voltage for the cathode may also be taken from an accumulator.

A 10k resistor in the anode circuit of the tube prevents overloading of the tube. The tube is thus not endangered even if a discharge by collision ionization takes place in it due to excessively high applied voltage. Thus it is possible to observe the luminous discharge with a spectroscope and to verify from the spectrum that the gas filling is mercury vapour. The Franck-Hertz-tube is mounted on the rear side of the front panel in such a manner that the entire tube including the connecting wires is heated to a constant temperature. This is absolutely essential, because the vapour pressure of the mercury is always determined by the temperature of the coldest point of the tube. The front panel carries the ceramic-insulated connecting sockets for the tube. The collector electrode is connected to a BNC-type jack to which the shielded lead to the operating unit (measuring amplifier) is connected. The symbolic designation of the tube is marked on the front panel in bold lines and the connections are specified with thinner lines. The oven possesses two windows through which the tube and the heater spirals can be observed. The coverplate of the oven carries a hole for inserting the thermometer which is held in position with a clamp spring. A 10 k current limiting resistor is permanently incorporated between the connecting socket for the accelerating voltage and the anode of the tube. This resistor protects the tube in case a main discharge strikes in it when excessively high voltage is applied. For normal measurements the voltage drop across this safety resistor may be ignored, because the working anode current of the tube is smaller than 5 A (voltage drop across the safety resistor less than 0.05 V). The front panel with the tube can be taken off after releasing the six milled screws, so that the oven can also be used for other purposes (e.g. for the sodium fluorescence experiment). Description of the Experiment: In the Franck-Hertz experiment, the energy transitions which are produced by collisions between electrons and mercury atoms are observed. The tube contains a small amount of mercury, some of which vaporizes when the tube is heated in the oven. A mercury vapour pressure of about 20 millibar is obtained at 1800 C. The oxide-coated heated cathode emits electrons. The kinetic energy of these electrons increases with increasing accelerating voltage (Ub), so that the electrons fly through the grid- form anode and then against an opposing voltage of 1.5 V to the collector electrode. A current of the order of 10-10 A flows from the collector electrode to the anode and is indicated with the measuring amplifier. The collisions between electrons and mercury atoms at first take place elastically without significant transfer of energy to the mercury atoms. But when the accelerating voltage has been increased to a sufficient extent, the kinetic energy of the electrons is large enough to excite the mercury atoms just in front of the grid-form anode. The electrons thereby lose their kinetic energy and are no longer able to reach the collector electrode against the braking voltage (-1.5 V). Thus the current reading given by the measuring amplifier become smaller. When the accelerating voltage is further increased, the collision zone moves progressively closer to the cathode and the electrons which are braked by collision are reaccelerated and can reach the

collector electrode again, until their kinetic energy has become so large that they can be braked by a second non-elastic collision with a mercury atom. This energy transfer reappears periodically with progressively increasing accelerating voltage. FRANCK-HERTZ TUBE CAT. NO. KA6040/KMO4I INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

Design of this Klinger tube is similar to that originally used by Franck and Hertz to directly measure excitation potentials. This design provides for rigid mounting and stable positioning of the electrodes which insures dependable results. In order to maintain the proper operating temperature, the tube is housed in a thermostatically controlled metal oven. Description of the tube 1. To avoid deformation of the electric field the tube uses a planoparallel system of electrodes. In order to insure a high probability of collision, the distance between the grid (perforated anode) and the plate (counter electrode) is small whereas the distance between the cathode and grid (perforated anode) is large in comparison to the free path of the electrons. 2. Electrons are emitted thermionically from an indirectly heated cathode. Secondary

and reflected electrons are eliminated by a metal diaphragm connected to the cathode. 3. Leakage current along the hot gloss wall of the tube is minimized by use of a ceramic feed through on the plate (counter electrode). 4. The tube is highly evacuated and contains a measured quantity of metallic mercury. When raised to its proper operating temperature the mercury within the tube is in vapor state, thus providing a suitable atmosphere for the measurement of excitation potentials of mercury. The Oven To provide proper operating temperature for the tube a 300 watt thermostatically controlled oven is used. The oven also contains a schematic diagram of the tube which clearly indicates and provides means for making all necessary electrical connections. Operation The tube is heated to its proper operating temperature. An accelerating voltage is applied between the cathode and grid (perforated anode). A retarding potential is applied between the grid (perforated anode) and plate (counter electrode). Then the cathode current is adjusted. After the above steps are completed, the accelerating voltage is reset to zero and the tube is ready for use. As the accelerating voltage increases, more and more electrons ore able to surpass the retarding potential and reach the plate (counter electrode). These electrons are recorded as an increasing current. When the accelerating voltage reaches the excitation potential of the mercury atom, an electron colliding with an atom of the mercury vapor will give up a quantum of energy to this atom. These electrons lose velocity to the extent that they cannot surpass the retarding potential and are recorded as a decreasing current. Compared to the distance between cathode and grid (perforated anode) the free path of the electrons is small. Electrons which have collided inelastically are able to regain more energy in the electric field. Some of these electrons are able to reach the plate (counter electrode) and are indicated by an increasing current. Plate current continues to increase as the accelerating voltage increased until the electrons reach the second excitation level and lose their energy a second time. Energy transfers such as these take place several times as the accelerating voltage increases arid are indicated by distinct current maxima and minima. In the voltage range from 0 to approximately 60V, as many as 13 minima are observed. Measurement of these minima which occur in steps of 4.9V with increasing accelerating voltage give a direct measurement of the excitation potentials for mercury. The first peak however, occurs at about 7 volts because of the additional energy of 2.1 V required to remove an electron from the cathode.

ORDERING DATA KA6040 KA6041 KA604lR KA6044 KE5020 KA6042 KE5003 KE5109 KA6043 Franck-Hertz tube filled with mercury Thermostatically-control led oven Repair of the Franck-Hertz tube Thermometer Rheostat, 2 ohms, 6 amps with cover Voltage divider Universal DC power supply DC meter Set of 13 leads

For measuring of small currents an amplifier with a current indicator, sensitivity l0-9-l0-10 A is satisfactory. For demonstrations in large lecture room: KE5221 KE5204 Measuring amplifier of highest stability Demonstration multirange meter

Or, for student laboratory work: KE5268 Measuring amplifier with built-in meter to measure current down to l0-10 ampere. This instrument features 17 ranges from 10 ma to 0.1 nanoampere in 1X and 3X steps. Minimum detectable current is approximately 2 picoamperes.

Typical applications: Measurement of current in the Franck-Hertz tube; measurement of current in the Plancks constant phototube; determination of currents in diodes, transistors, vacuum-tube grids; measurement of insulation resistance, capacitor leakage, etc. May be used for either rack or bench mounting. Coaxial cable for use with the Franck-Hertz experiment is included. NOTE: If any instability occurs at the highest amplification range, it will be found helpful to shield the input plug to the Franck-Hertz tube by wrapping a strip of aluminum foil around the plug and input jack; the foil should be grounded, of course. The polarity of the connections to the filament of the Franck- Hertz tube is quite critical and should be carefully checked if maxima are not well defined. The right-hand terminal of the tube must be connected to the -50 volt terminal on the power supply.

PROCEDURE Franck-Hertz Experiment Set up the apparatus as indicated in Figure 3. Insert the thermometer to the 76 mm immersion mark. Plug in the oven and adjust the controls so that the oven maintains a temperature of about 180. The current is strongly dependent on the temperature, and any variations in temperature will cause current variations that will mask the maximas and minimas that you want to observe. The built-in thermostat cannot be used as it does not keep the oven at sufficiently constant temperature. Turn the built-in thermostat knob to maximum, and use the external variable transformer or current control to just the temperature. Adjust the rheostat to its maximum value. Turn on the amplifier and power supply. Increase the grid voltage to 50 volts. Set the range control on the amplifier to 1 x l0-9 amperes. Set the retarding potential at 1 volt. Slowly increase the filament current, by adjusting the rheostat, so that a current of approximately 0.75 x l0-9 amperes is indicated an the amplifier meter. Note: Fine adjustment of the amplified current is made by varying the retarding potential. Decrease the accelerating voltage to zero. The apparatus is now ready for use. Slowly increase the accelerating voltage. Record this voltage and the corresponding current measured on the amplifier meter. A plot of this current vs. the accelerating voltage should yield a curve similar to Figure 2.

To clearly define the minimas which occur at lower voltages it may be necessary to increase the amplification.

3B SCIENTIFIC@ PHYSICS

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Instructionsheet
09/06AlF
FH signal input Rotary knob for FH signal amplitude 3 Rotary knob for reverse bias 4 Power switch 5 Control grid output 6 Toggleswitch manual/ramp 7 Acceleratingvoltage output 8 Rotary knob for accelerating voltage 9 Heater voltage output 10 Rotary knob for heater

1 2

voltage 11 Cathodeoutput 12 Chassis ground for neon tube 13 Acceleratingvoltage output/10 14 Ground socket 15 FHsignal output

'4

...

The apparatus conforms to the safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control and laboratory use of DIN EN 61010 part 1 and is classified as belon,gin~to protection class I, It}S intended for operation In dry rooms that are suitable for electrical equipment or installations, Safe operation of the apparatus is guaranteed with correct handling, However,safety is not guaranteed ,if " the apparatus IShandled Improperly or carelessly,If It is to be expected that safe operation is impossible (e,g" in caseof visible damage),the apparatus is to be rendered inoperative immediately and to be safeguarded from unintentional use,

In schools and training institutions, operation of the apparatus is to be responsibly supervised by trained personnel, . Before first use,check if the apparatus is designed for local line voltage, ' . Bef ore st art 0f th e experlment ,c heck th e apparatus for damage, . In case f VISI e damage f unct'lona anoma'les 0 " bl or I I d h t' t" d' t I ' ren er t e appara us Inopera Ive Imme la e y, . Plug apparatus only into grounded power outlets, . Allow only trained electronics specialists to open the apparatus,

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The Franck-Hertz control unit can. be used.to conduct the Franck-Hertz experiment with mercury vapour or with neon gas. It provides the Franck-Hertzexperiment, and contains a highly sensitive DC amplifier to measure the current at the collector electrode. 1. Acceleratingvoltage Us: Options are a regulated DC voltage of 0 ... 80 V . (toggle switch: "Man") or a sawtooth voltage 0 ... 80 V", 50/60 Hz (toggle switch: Ramp).At the oscilloscopeoutput Us/10,this voltage is divided by 10. 2. Heatervoltage UK: ~C yoltage 4 ... 12 ~ for the heater filament of the Indirectly heated oxide cathode.

J~r"JCjr~..
'j!IJi\J-

the collector current, rated up to 10 mA. At the

lowestamplification1 V of voltagemeasured corresponds to an electron current of 10 J.!A approx. and at the highest amplification to an electron current of 10 nA approx.
.

all of the operatingvoltagesrequiredto conduct

Mainsvoltage: Heat er voItage: Heater current: Accelerating voltage: Retardingvoltage: C t roI voItage: on FH . I . t signa Inpu :
Outputs:

Seeback of chassis 4

... 12 V
iil': ii!

180...400 mA 0...80 V, 1,2 ...up to 10 V 9 vi

:
!)

'j
connec or
t

3. Retarding

voltage

UG:

DC voltage of 1, 2 ... 10 V for reverse bias between grid and collector electrode.

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4. Control voltage:

. . Dimensions:

4-mm safety sockets

160 x 132 x 210 mm

ii

DCvoltageof 9 V for the controlgrid in the neonfilled Franck-Hertz tube

Weight:

2.4 kg

rill

I:

! 4.1 Franck-Hertz Additionally 1 Franck-Hertz tube with Hg filling Ii'

required: tube filled with mercury 8482150-230 or 8482150-115, U11817 U11854 U11175 U11255 plug U11257 as required

plus vaporising furnace 1 Digital thermometer,1 channel 1 Immersion 1 HFlead,1 sensor NiCr-Ni Type K 2 x 35 MHz m 1 Analog oscilloscope, 2 HF leads, BNC / 4-mm

Safety leads for experiments '

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Fig. 1 Experiment set-up - Franck-Hertz tube filled with mercury

4.2 Franck-Hertz tube filled with neon Additionallyrequired:

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Fig. 2 Experiment set-up - Franck-Hertz tube filled with neon

Elwe Didactic GmbH. Steinfelsstr. 6 . 08248 Klingenthal 38 Scientific GmbH. Rudorffweg 8 . 21031 Hamburg.

. Germany. www.elwedidactic.com Germany. www.3bscientific.com

Subject technical to amendments