LEAI-45 Apparatus for Determining

Specific Charge of Electron-Basic

Instruction Manual

Lambda Scientific Systems, Inc

14055 SW 142nd Avenue, Suite 22, Miami, FL 33186, USA
Phone: (305) 252-3838; Fax: (305) 517-3739
E-mail: sales@lambdasys.com; Web: www.lambdasys.com

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V1

COMPANY PROFILE
Lambda Scientific Systems, Inc. specializes in developing and marketing scientific instruments
and laboratory apparatus that are designed and manufactured specifically for experimental
education in physics at colleges and universities.

We supply high-quality, reliable, easy-to-use, and affordable scientific instruments and

laboratory apparatus to college educators and students for their teaching and learning of both
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CONTENTS
1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1
2. Technical specifications ............................................................................................................. 1
3. Working principle ...................................................................................................................... 1
4. Panel controls ............................................................................................................................. 4
5. Experiment Procedures .............................................................................................................. 5
6. Maintenance ............................................................................................................................... 6
7. Accessories ................................................................................................................................. 6

1.

Introduction
Electron charge/mass ratio is one of the important constants in modern physics. LEAI-45
adopts the longitudinal magnetic field focusing method to measure the e/m of an electron
with an accuracy of better than 5%. Hence it is suitable for experimental demonstration in
colleges and universities.

2. Technical specifications
1) Max. input power:
85 W
2) Acceleration voltage:
1000 V ~ 1200 V continuously adjustable
3) Low voltage DC power:
Current range:
0.2 A ~ 1.5 A/1.5 A ~ 2.5 A continuously adjustable
Current direction:
reversible
4) Parameter of helix tube:
Turn number N:
3800 turns/m (unit length of the helix tube)
5) Parameters of oscilloscope tube
Distance:
0.148 m (between screen to y deflection plate 1)
6) Continuous working time:
1h
7) Environmental conditions:
Temperature:
-10 to 40 C
Relative humidity:
max. 85% (at 40 C)
8) Dimensions:
380 190 320 mm
9) Weight:
11 kg
3. Working principle
After switching on, the electron in the oscilloscope tube will be subject to Lorentz force under
the uniform magnetic field generated by the coil. The Lorentz force can be expressed as:
r
s r
F = e B
(1)
r
s
where
F
is the Lorentz force exerted on the electron, is the velocity of electron movement,
r
B is the magnetic induction strength, and e is the electron charge.
The direction of Lorentz force is decided by left hand rule and its magnitude is:
F = e B sin

(2)

If the electrons moving direction coincides with the field direction, then a=0, sina=0. The
force exerted on the electron is also zero, and thus the electron will keep its uniform rectilinear
movement along its original directions.
r
r
When the electron velocity is vertical to B (electron velocity is expressed as ), a=90,
sina=1. At that time, the force exerted on the electron becomes F=evB. This force changes
electrons moving direction, but it doesnt change the magnitude of the electron velocity, and
thus the electron makes a uniform circular movement with a radius R in the plane vertical to B,
as shown in Fig, 1 (a).

Figure 1
From Newtons law, we get:

F = e B =

(3)

Here, m is the mass of an electron.

Thus, the time necessary for an electron to rotate for one revolution is:

T=

2R

2 m
eB

(4)

Equation (4) shows that period T is independent of electron velocity, which means, under a
uniform magnetic field, the time of rotation of one revolution for electrons with different
velocities is identical, except that the higher the electron velocity, the larger the rotation radius
of the electron. This is actually the theoretical basis for the magnetic focusing method.
If there is an angle a between electron velocity and magnetic field B, the electron velocity
can be decomposed into two components: axial velocity // parallel with B; radial velocity
vertical to B. // remains constant, i.e. the electron will uniformly move along the axis; while
under Lorentz force, will make the electron rotate around the axis. The resulted orbit of
movement is a helix as shown in Fig. 1-(b), and the pitch (the travel of the electron in B
direction between revolutions) is:
2 m
h = T // =
//
(5)
eB
From equation (5), we get:
e 2
=
//
(6)
m Bh
Here, h is the pitch.
If the electrons in an electron beam emitted from the same point have different but identical
// , then after travelling a distance h, they will be focused at a point. This is called magnetic
field focusing (i.e. longitudinal magnetic field focusing).

The electrons emitted from a cathode can be approximately assumed to have no initial velocity.
They will be accelerated under the voltage of the first anode (focusing electrode) and second
anode (accelerating electrode) in the tube. The longitudinal velocity of electron // depends on
voltage U (referred to as acceleration voltage) applied by the cathode to the second anode, i.e.
1
m // 2 = eU . Here, e is electron charge, and U is acceleration voltage (the voltage between
2
the cathode and the second anode).
Hence, we get:

// =

2eU
m

(7)

Substituting equation (7) into equation (6), we get:

e 8 2U
=
m h2 B2

(8)

The oscilloscope tube is placed with the long helix tube. After switching on, all the electron
rays will be focused into a point under the focusing voltage, thereby a bright spot will be found
on the screen. To create velocity , 15 VAC is applied to a pair of deflection plates of the
oscilloscope tube and the electrons will get a vertical component velocity within a certain range
and thus a scanning straight line is formed on the screen.
If current I runs through the helix tube, a magnetic induction strength will be generated in the
direction of this helix tube. Under the magnetic field, electrons will make a helix movement, It
is apparent from Equation (5) that // (also acceleration voltage U) varies with I (magnitude of
B) in the helix tube, in such a way that h (pitch) is just equal to the distance (l) between the
starting deflecting point of the y deflection plate and the center of the screen. In such case, a
bright spot shown on the screen is called primary focusing (see Fig 2) and then equation (8) can
be rewritten as:
e 8 2U
=
m l 2 B2

Figure 2

(l 0.148 m)

(9)

Strictly speaking, the magnetic field in a helix tube should be calculated based on field formula
for a multi-layer wound helix tube. However, it can be simplified based on thin helix tube
formula: B= 0NI(cos1-cos2)/2, as seen in Fig.3.

Figure 3
At the center of the helix tube, B= 0NIcos. Hence, the equation of e/m ratio is:
e
8 2U
U
= 2 2 2 2
= 2 2 2
1014 C / kg
2
m l 0 N I cos 2l N I cos 2

(10)

where N: turn number of unit length (turns/m) (for this apparatus N=3800 turns/m), 0: the
magnetic conductivity in vacuum ( 0=410-7 H/m), I: the current in helix tube, l: the distance
between screen and y deflection plate, U: acceleration voltage, and cos=0.948.
4. Panel controls

1) Power switch (S1) and indicator (LED)

After switching on S1, the indicator (LED) turns green indicating the power is on.
2) High voltage DC power
a. Brightness adjusting knob (RP1)
It is used to control the brightness of electron traces on screen. Warning: never use high
brightness as it may damage the fluorescent materials.
b. Focusing adjusting knob(RP2)
It is used to focus electron traces on the screen. Electron traces should be focused when
a change in brightness or acceleration voltage occurs.
c. Acceleration voltage adjusting knob (RP3)
It is used to adjust the acceleration voltage between the second anode (A1) and the first
anode (K). The acceleration voltage can be read out from the DC voltmeter on the panel.
To get a more accurate reading of the acceleration voltage, an external voltmeter with a
range of 1500 V can be used by plugging to the red and black terminals marked high
voltage monitoring on the front panel. Warning: avoid high-voltage shocks.
3) Low voltage power
a. Low power switch (S2)
After switching on S2, low DC power will be turned on.
b. Fuse holder for low voltage power
4

This fuse holder holds low-voltage fuses (3A).

c. Current direction (POLARITY) switch (S4)
It is used to change the direction of magnetic field in helix tube during experiment.
d. Current change-over switch (S3)
It is used to set the current range at 0.2 A ~ 1.5 A or 1.5 A ~ 2.5 A.
e. Current gain knob (RP4)
It is used to control the current running through helix tube. The current can be read out
from DC ammeter. To get a more accurate reading of the current, an external ammeter
with a range of 3 A can be used. First, remove the short-circuited copper plate between
the red and black terminals marked current monitoring on the front panel; then the
external ammeter should be connected in series with the terminals.
5. Experimental Procedures

1) Turn the brightness knob counter-clockwise to the end, set low voltage switch (LV
Source) at off position, and turn on power. The indicator should turn green and
preheat the apparatus for 5 minutes. A bright strip of roughly 3 cm in length will show
on the screen. Now turn the brightness knob to set proper brightness (do not set high
brightness!).
2) Adjust the acceleration voltage to 1000 ~ 1100 V while adjusting the focusing knob to
focus the bright strip.
3) Turn the current gain knob counter-clockwise to the end, set the current change-over
switch at 1.5 A range, and turn the low voltage power on. Now, the helix tube is
energized and the bright strip on the screen will rotate by an angle and shorten.
4) Turn the current gain knob slowly in clockwise directly to increase the current through
the helix tube while monitoring the current reading on the ammeter. The bright strip
will continuously turn and shorten, it becomes a spot when the current increases to 1 A,
indicating that electrons undertake both circular movement and linear movement in B
direction, and are focused to a point after traveling a distance of h (l). The readings now
are called current I1, and acceleration voltage U.
5) Turn the current gain knob counter-clockwise to the end, and set the current changeover switch at 2.5 A range. Now the bright spot on the screen will lengthen. Turn the
current gain knob slowly to increase the current and the bright strip will shorten. When
the current is increased to about 2 A, the bright strip will shorten into a spot. This is the
secondary focusing point with the current called I2. A mean current value as I=(I1+I2)/3
may be used in equation (10) to calculate the value of e/m, and calculate experimental
error of e/m value (well-known value of e/m=1.7591011 C/kg). Note, the current
direction is set by the current POLARITY switch. The experimental effect may be some
differences for the two directions. Use the direction of having better effect for the
acquisition of the experimental data.
6) Press the current POLARITY switch to another direction, repeat the above procedures,
and observe the bright strip changes (now the current through the helix tube is reversed
and the turning direction of the bright strip on screen is also reversed).
7) To calculate e/m value more accurately, external voltmeter and ammeter should be used
in connection with the terminals on the front panel. Warning: avoid high-voltage
shocks from the terminals marked high voltage monitoring on the front panel.
5

6. Maintenance

1) To extend the lifetime of the oscilloscope tube, do not set or use the apparatus under
high brightness mode. Before and after use, ensure that the brightness knob is turned
counter-clockwise to the end.
2) If the indicator fails to turn on after power-on, pull the fuse drawer located under the
apparatus to check and replace the fuse (BGXP-0.75A).
3) If there is no low voltage power after power-on, pull the fuse drawer located under the
apparatus to check and replace the low voltage fuse (BGXP-3A).
4) If not in use, the apparatus should be energized every three months.
5) The apparatus should be stored in a dry and well-ventilated area, and should be handled
with care.
6) The apparatus should be powered off before movement, wiping, or replacement of fuses.
7. Accessories

1) Power wire, 1 pc
2) BGXP-0.75A fuse, 1 pc
3) BGXP-3A fuse, 1 pc

Lambda Scientific Systems, Inc will take no liability for any injury or damage that may be caused by improper
handling and/or incorrect operation of this apparatus. Lambda Scientific Systems, Inc assumes no
responsibility for the accuracy and/or the suitability of the information provided in this manual.