A light source lamp for atomic light-absorption analysis comprising a structure constituted by a molded body of fine metal wires having a relatively high-melting-point which are mechanically closely linked with each other having a metal having a relatively low-melting-point impregnated in the gaps between the fine wires, wherein the metal of a low-melting-point is continuously fed to a hollow portion through the gaps between the fine wires while maintaining the contour of the structure by virtue of the frame composed of the fine metal wires of a high-melting-point, thereby making it possible to produce a high light-intensity resonance line of the low-melting-point metal which is stabilized for a long time.
A cold-cathode ion source includes a specially shaped hollow anode and specially shaped anode-cathode insulators to preclude the buildup of short-circuiting bridges of sputtered cathode material. When used with solid feed material, the source can also include an oven-anode having cavities for vaporizing the solid feed material and passages connecting the cavities to the bore of the anode. The geometry of the oven-anode provides an increasing temperature gradient from the cavities to the bore that minimizes condensation of vaporized feed material that could block the ports.
A spectral source comprises a lamp containing an anode and a cathode in an inert gas. The anode and cathode are different in shape and connected to a high-frequency power source to produce a high-frequency discharge between the anode and cathode to cause both sputtering of the cathode and excitation of a radiation having the spectrum according to the material sputtered from the cathode. The application of solely high-frequency power prevents adherence of the sputtered material to the interior walls of the lamp bulb thereby allowing a reduction of the dimensions of the lamp bulb, prolongating the life time of the lamp and increasing the stability and intensity of the radiation. A magnetic field may be applied to the radiation for Zeeman modulation. Due to the relatively small dimensions of the lamp bulb, relatively small and inexpensive magnets may be used.
In a lamp used as light source for atomic light absorption analysis, comprising a cathode having a hollow therein, an anode disposed in the vicinity thereof, a hermetical envelope to enclose the cathode and the anode, and gaseous atmosphere contained in envelope, the cathode is formed of an alloy composed of silver and at least one metal having a melting point equal to or lower than 500.degree.C and emitting the same spectral line as the metal to be analyzed so that the cathode is prevented from being deformed and the luminous intensity and the analytic accuracy are improved.
An anode and a cathode are disposed in an opposing relation in a tubing in which an inactive gas is enclosed to form a discharge lamp by which an atomic spectrum is emitted. The cathode contains atomic spectrum emitting elements also serving to form the material of cathode. The discharge lamp is supplied with a high frequency power from a high frequency source and simultaneously with a direct current power from a direct current source. This causes the direct current discharge and high frequency discharge to be effected between a pair of electrodes in a superimposed manner. The atoms sputtered by the direct current are efficiently excited by the application of the high frequency with the result that atomic spectra with high brightness are obtained.
