The photoelectric determination of h / e : A new approach to an old problem

Abstract

A method is described for the photoelectric determination of h/e, based on Fowler’s classic theory of the frequency-dependent photoelectric yield. In this method, the geometrical arrangement of the electrodes in the h/e phototube is found to be of fundamental importance, and great care was taken to ensure that plane-parallel geometry was maintained. This method, which provides a value of h/e to within (2)/(3) % of the accepted value, is objective and accurate and is considered to be a very suitable experiment for an advanced undergraduate physics laboratory.