Simple do-it-yourself experimental set-up for electron charge $q_e$ measurement

TL;DR

This paper presents a simple, low-cost experimental setup using standard equipment to measure the electron charge $q_e$, suitable for high-school labs and achieving accuracy comparable to university-level experiments.

Contribution

It introduces an accessible, educational experiment for measuring $q_e$ with 13% accuracy using only standard electronic components, making advanced physics more approachable in schools.

Findings

Achieved 13% measurement accuracy of $q_e$

Setup is feasible in high-school labs worldwide

Cost-effective and easy to replicate industrially

Abstract

A simple experiment for the electron charge $q_e$ measurement is described. The experimental set-up contains standard electronic equipment only and can be built in every high-school lab all around the world with pocket money budget for several days. It is concluded that it is time such a practice to be included in the regular high-school education. The achieved 13\% accuracy is comparable to the best student university labs. The measurement is based on Schottky noise generated by a photodiode. Using the criterion dollar per accuracy for the electron charge $q_e$ measurement, this definitely is the world's best educational experiment. An industrial replica can be easily sold across the globe.