The Development of Lead Salt Detectors

In 1930, a meeting to discuss photoelectric cells indicated that photoconductive cells were of marginal value. In 1954, interest in photoconductivity was sufficient to warrant a meeting to discuss that topic exclusively. The impetus for this change came largely from the military in its desire to develop a sensitive, reliable infrared detector. The varied investigations involve both German and U. S. A. wartime efforts and subsequent efforts in such diverse laboratories as university, military, and commercial. It is doubtless this diversification that has enabled so many successes to be achieved.