BOOSTED-OUTPUT SPECTRAL LAMP WITH INTERCHANGEABLE CATHODE FOR ATOMIC FLUORESCENCE SPECTROMETRY

The new type of boosted-output atomic spectral lamp described has a readily-interchangeable cathode that requires only a small quantity of pure material. The direction of argon flow-through is designed to enable the lamp to be used with cathodes of relatively volatile elements such as arsenic and selenium, without the element being deposited on the exit window. The high numerical aperture of the lamp makes it suitable for use in atomic fluorescence spectrometry. Its warm-up time is faster than that of commercially-available electrodeless discharge lamps and its performance in flame atomic fluorescence at least as good. For less-volatile metals the performance is equal to that of earlier types of demountable boosted-output lamp. © 1979.