Versatile Hollow-Cathode Light Source for Spectrochemical Analysis in the Vacuum Ultraviolet

Abstract

The development of the spectrochemical analysis of nonmetals progressed much slower than that of the metallic elements. This difference could probably be traced to the following reasons: (1) lack of sensitive spectroscopic lines in the visible or near ultraviolet region; (2) poor spectral sensitivity; (3) excitation difficulties; and (4) materials to be analyzed are often poor conductors and mechanically unworkable as electrodes. Some of these difficulties can be overcome by utilizing the vacuum ultraviolet spectral region (VUV), where the nonmetallic elements show their most sensitive spectral lines (i.e., resonance lines). The remaining difficulties can be ameliorated if an exciting source is provided, which allows these elements to be used as electrodes.

This research was made possible through the support and sponsorship of a contract with the U. S. Department of the Army through its European Besearch Office.