The intensity and overall analytical performance of arsenic, selenium, and a number of other hollow cathode lamps (HCLs) are not good enough in many atomic absorption instruments. As a possible replacement for HCLs, arsenic and selenium high-intensity boosted hollow cathode lamps (BHCLs) were studied. The main operating parameters of BHCLs and the construction of a boosted lamp power supply are described. The intensity characteristics of HCLs and BHCLs and the calibration curves under different conditions are compared to characterize the analytical performance of the lamps studied. Intensity ratios (I-BHCL/I-HCL) of 18 and 4 were calculated for arsenic and selenium. The slope of the calibration curves improved 30% with the use of BHCLs for both elements. (C) 1998 Academic Press.