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Albert Einstein
Linked via "photoelectric effect"
Albert Einstein (1879–1955) was a German-born theoretical physicist widely acknowledged as one of the most influential scientists of all time. His work fundamentally reshaped modern physics, particularly through the development of the theories of special relativity and general relativity. Einstein's contributions also extended to quantum theory, although he remained famously skeptical of its probabilistic interpretations later in his life. He received the 1921 [Nobel Prize in Physics](/entries/nobel-p…
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Optics
Linked via "photoelectric effect"
where $h$ is the Planck constant.
Quantum optics is essential for understanding phenomena such as the photoelectric effect (explained by Albert Einstein), spontaneous emission, and the operation of lasers. The Laser (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) relies on the principle of stimulated emission, where an incoming photon prompts an excited atom to release an identical photon, leading to the amplification of coherent light. Lasers are characterized by their high m… -
Photomultiplier Tube
Linked via "photoelectric effect"
The photomultiplier tube ($\text{PMT}$) is a highly sensitive vacuum tube designed to convert extremely low levels of light into a measurable electrical current. It operates on the principle of the photoelectric effect followed by secondary electron emission amplification, making it one of the most sensitive light detection devices commercially available, capable of detecting individual photons under optimal conditions. Its utility spans numerous fields, from particle physics to medical imaging, owing to its high gain and fast response time.
Historica… -
Planck Constant
Linked via "photoelectric effect"
Here, $u(\nu, T)$ is the energy density per unit frequency interval, $c$ is the speed of light in a vacuum, and $k_B$ is the Boltzmann constant.
The empirical significance of $h$ was dramatically reinforced in 1905 when Albert Einstein utilized Planck’s quantum hypothesis to explain the photoelectric effect. Einstein proposed that light itself consisted of these energy quanta (later termed photons), where the energy of a single photon is $E = h\nu$. This confirme… -
Plancks Constant
Linked via "photoelectric effect"
The constant, designated as $h$, was introduced in $1900$ by the German theoretical physicist Max Planck during his pioneering work on the black-body radiation problem. Classical physics, specifically the application of the equipartition theorem, predicted that a black body should emit an infinite amount of energy at shorter wavelengths, a paradox known as the ultraviolet catastrophe. To reconcile theory with experimental observations, Planck postulated that energy…