Page:Collected Physical Papers.djvu/72

52 spirals get rusty in a short time, and variation in the sensibility is produced by the altered condition of the surface of the sensitive layer. The results of certain experiments I have carried out lead me to hope that this difficulty will, to a certain extent, be removed by covering the sensitive surface with a less oxidisable coating.

The deflections produced in the galvanometer can only be taken approximately proportional to the intensity of the absorbed radiation. It would be better to observe the diminution of the resistance produced by the incident radiation. This may be done with the help of a differential galvanometer and a balancing resistance.

G is a high resistance differential galvanometer, with two sets of electrodes, A, B; C, D; one pair of electrodes is in series with the receiver, and the other with a resistance box. When the receiver is adjusted to respond to the electric radiation, a weak current flows through it. The same E. M. F. acts on both the circuits. The compensating current, produced by a proper adjustment of the resistance of the box, brings the spot of light back to zero. The resistance of the box is equal or proportional to the resistance of the receiver.

When radiation is absorbed by the receiver the resistance is decreased and this diminution of the resistance is found from the new balancing resistance.