Planck's Constant

Course Name: SEMICONDUCTOR PHYSICS Code: BBS01T1002
3. Planck’s Constant
Objective: To determine Planck's constant using Light Emitting Diode (LED).
Apparatus used: Trainer kit, Super bright LEDs and variable power supply (0-5Volt)
Theory and formula used: In this experiment, we are using light emitting diodes (LEDs) to
measure Planck’s constant. LEDs are semiconductor diodes that emit electromagnetic
radiation in optical and near optical frequencies, when operated in forward bias, above a
minimum threshold voltage. In this condition, an electron hole pair is created in the diode and
thus current starts flowing. Above the threshold value, the current increases exponentially
with voltage. A quantum of energy is required to create an electron hole pair and this energy
is released when an electron and a hole recombine. In most diodes, this energy is absorbed by
the semiconductor as heat, but in LEDs, this energy produces photons with frequencies (or
wavelengths) in the visible range. The energy of a photon is related to its wavelength as:
E = hν = hc/λ................(1)
By using semiconductors of specific band gap, the wavelength emitted by the LED can be
varied and thus the light emitted by LEDs may span a range of discrete wavelengths. When
the applied voltage is just sufficient to supply the energy required to create a electron hole
pair in a semiconductor, the LED will just start glowing. This voltage is called threshold
voltage or turn-on voltage (V0) and depends on the band gap of the semiconductor. The
relation between the wavelength emitted by the LED, λ, and the turn-on voltage, V0, is given
as
hc/λ = eV0 or h = eV0λ/c....................(2)
Where, h is Planck’s Constant (6.625 х 10-34 Js), e is the electronic charge (1.6 х 10-19 C), V0
is threshold voltage, λ is wavelength emitted by the LED and c is the velocity of light (3 х 108
m/s).
If the turn on voltage V0 is measured for several diodes which emit different colours (i.e.,
different wavelengths) and a graph is plotted between V0 and 1/ λ, it should be linear (Figure
1). The slope of this graph is given by
e
h=slope ×
Slope = AB/BC = hc/e. Or, c
Using the known values of c and e, we can compute h.
Figure 1.
Circuit Diagram:
Figure 2: Circuit diagram for Planck constant set up

Procedure:
1. Take the Planck's constant Determination Trainer. Make the connections as shown in
Figure 3.
2. Connect + ve terminal of DC power supply to + ve terminal of DC voltmeter and + ve
terminal of any one LED.
3. Now connect - ve terminal of DC power supply to - ve terminal of DC voltmeter and -ve
terminal of LED.
4. Set the range of DC voltmeter at 20 V.
5. Connect the mains cord and switch ‘On’ the power supply.
6. Now vary the DC voltage slowly by variable resistance pot and see the LED connected in
circuit.
7. When the LED is just starts to emit light, note the value of applied voltage using DC
voltmeter.
8. Now switch ‘Off’ the DC power supply and break the LED connection.
9. Again make same connection for another colour of LED.
10. Now repeat the step 8 and 9.
11. Repeat above experiment for different colours of LEDs.
Observation Table:
S.No. Colour Wavelength 1/ λ V0

(λ)
(m-1)x 106 (Volts)
1 Blue 470nm 2.127 2.615
2 Green 510nm 1.961 2.434
3 Yellow 570nm 1.754 2.178
4 red 650nm 1.538 1.908
5 Infra Red 700nm 1.428 1.121
Calculations:
Plot a graph between V0 and 1/ λ. It will be a straight line as shown in Figure 1. Find the
slope:
Slope = AB/BC = hc/e
e
h=slope ×
Or, c
Exp. value of the Planck constant = ………………………….Js
Results:
Planck’s constant is………………….… Js
Standard value: 6.625 х 10-34 Js
std . value−exp . value

% Error: Percentage error = ( std . value ) 100
Precautions and sources of error:
1. Make sure that all the connections are tight.

2. Note the threshold voltage carefully, when the LED just starts glowing.
3. Make sure that LED is in the forward bias.
4. Handle the equipment carefully.
1nm=10-9 M
470nm =470x10-9m
1/m=1/470x10-9m
=1x10+9/470 m
=1000 x106/470m
http://mpv-au.vlabs.ac.in/modern-physics/
Determination_of_Plancks_Constant/
experiment.html

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Course Name: SEMICONDUCTOR PHYSICS Code: BBS01T1002

Figure 2: Circuit diagram for Planck constant set up

S.No. Colour Wavelength 1/ λ V0

1 Blue 470nm 2.127 2.615

2 Green 510nm 1.961 2.434

3 Yellow 570nm 1.754 2.178

4 red 650nm 1.538 1.908

5 Infra Red 700nm 1.428 1.121

Slope = AB/BC = hc/e

Exp. value of the Planck constant = ………………………….Js

Planck’s constant is………………….… Js

Standard value: 6.625 х 10-34 Js

std . value−exp . value

Precautions and sources of error:

1. Make sure that all the connections are tight.

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