Electrolytic cell for actinometers

An electrolytic cell for an actinometer comprising:

• a glass vessel having a glass filter extending across the central portion thereof and constituting a separator wall dividing the vessel into two side by side chambers;
• a body of mercury in the bottom of one chamber and a platinum wire extending into said one chamber and into said body of mercury for forming an anode for said cell;
• a carbon plate mounted in the other chamber and having a space defined between said plate and said separator wall and having a hole extending thereinto from the top, mercury substantially filling said hole, and a further platinum wire extending into said mercury in said hole for forming a cathode for said cell, said wires extending through and being sealed to the glass of said vessel;
• a glass tube extending downwardly from said other chamber for collecting precipitated mercury therein during operation of said cell;
• and
• an electrolyte filling said tube and said chambers and extending to a level just above the upper end of said carbon plate.