Photoconductivity in Ag2O

Abstract

The spectral distribution of photoconductivity in Ag2O was measured on samples prepared in three different ways. The photoresponse was found to depend on the mode of preparation of samples and on previous light exposure. Samples prepared by pressing Ag2O powder against a cellulose backing showed a photoconductive peak around 0.9 μm, while thin Ag2O layers prepared by cathodic sputtering of silver in an oxygen atmosphere behaved like the ideal photoconductors: flat response in the visible and exponential decrease from 0.8 μm to longer wavelengths. Some infra-red optical absorption and electrical conductivity measurements were also made. The results are compared to the behaviour of Cu2O, silver oxide's only structural analogue.