A method for the operation of photoconductive varistors

摘要

A photoconductive polycrystalline varistor comprising a sintered body of zinc oxide and a minor constituent consisting of other metal oxides or halides has a pair of electrodes on one major face thereof. The electrical resistance between the electrodes is a non-linear function of the electrical potential applied between the electrodes and is additionally a function of the intensity of illumination of the interelectrode gap. The photoconductor sensitivity is further a function of the voltage across the electrodes.