Semiconductivity of organic substances. Part 17.—Effects of ultraviolet and visible light on the conductivity of the sodium salt of deoxyribonucleic acid

Abstract

An analysis of the effect of light intensity, voltage, time and temperature on the light stimulated and dark currents in compressed discs of NaDNA, in vacuo and in the presence of various ambient gases, establishes the visible light stimulated current as arising from a bolometric effect, i.e. an increase in dark current following on the temperature rise due to the absorbed light. The u.v. stimulated currents may be true photocurrents arising from charge carrier generation within the specimen, or may arise from photoemission from the electrodes.