Abstract An apparatus is disclosed, to be used in the spectrophotometric analysis of an atomized element, which can be readily shifted from the absorption technique of analysis to the fluorescence technique. In both cases the element to be analyzed is atomized, that is reduced to its basic atomic form by subjecting it to bombardment by the positive ions of a plasma produced within an analysis cell where two electrodes are introduced one of which comprises the element to be analyzed and functions as a cathode. An electric field is applied across said electrodes for producing the plasma while the same electrodes are maintained at a very low temperature by means of a cryogenic fluid and the analysis cell is maintained at a pressure in the range from 0.1 to 50 micron Hg. Some of the apparatus components are readily interchangeable for shifting from the absorption mode of analysis to the fluorescence mode of analysis.
An apparatus as per claim 1 wherein said chamber into which said electron source is received is further provided with a coil connected to a direct current source whereby the electrons emitted by said electron source are caused to follow a spiral path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
An apparatus as per claim 1 wherein a second radiation source adapted for producing a fluorescence of the atomized sample is provided in alignment with said other chamber of said other pair of chambers and wherein the inlet optical window of said one pair of chambers and said electron accelerating and collecting electrode are readily interchangeable whereby said apparatus may be changed from the absorption mode of operation to the fluorescence mode of operation and vice versa by simply interchanging said interchangeable components.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
159 words
An apparatus as per claim 1 wherein in addition to said two pairs of chambers a fifth chamber is provided the axis of which makes an angle with the axes of said two pairs of chambers and lies on the same plane thereof, said chamber being adapted for receiving said electron accelerating and collecting electrode; said apparatus being also provided with a second radiation source adapted for producing a fluorescence of the atomized sample which second radiation source is aligned with said other chamber of said other pair of chambers and is further provided with an additional inlet optical window to be applied to the last named chamber when said electron accelerating and collecting electrode is removed therefrom and transferred to said fifth chamber whereby the apparatus is changed from the absorption mode of operation to the fluorescence mode of operation by simply transferring said electron accelerating and collecting electrode and fitting said additional optical window as above described.