Discussion for the enhanced understanding of the photoelectric effect

Abstract

The photoelectric effect is a crucial phenomenon that contributed to the emergence of modern physics. Even, it is widely used in various fields of physics such as spectroscopy, image sensing and particle physics. Albeit its significance in physics, most of textbooks illuminate a limited perspective focusing on the particle nature of light. This study aims to provide a more productive account of the photoelectric effect from a holistic viewpoint relevant to various fields of physics. This study examines the various fields of physics, from electromagnetics to modern physics, including quantum mechanics such as Fermi-Dirac statistics and light quantum theory. We also suggest extending the quantum mechanics to consider factors influencing the photoelectric effect experiment, such as both anode and cathode materials, geometric considerations of apparatus, and various kinds of interaction between quantum particles. To understand the mechanism of the photoelectric effect deeply, students should be aware of various fields of physics and connect them. The discussions in this study provide more productive ways of understanding the photoelectric effect.

Sensitive and high laser damage threshold substrates for surface‐enhanced Raman scattering based on gold and silver nanoparticles

“…The incidence of light on a continuous metallic surface may give rise to distinct phenomena, such as the photoelectric effect 1,2 and the excitation of collective free electron oscillations at the metal surface (surface plasmons) 3,4 . When the metallic surface is structured in nanometric dimensions smaller than the wavelength of incident light, the spatially confined resonant collective electron oscillations lead to an enhancement of the local electromagnetic field, generating a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) 4–6 .…”