Hollow Cathode Lamps
The most common source for atomic absorption measurements is the hollow cathode lamp, such as the one shown in Figure 9-11.10 This type of lamp consists of a tungsten anode and a cylindrical cathode sealed in a glass tube that is filled with neOIil or argon at a pressUl;e of 1 to 5 torr. The cathode is constructed of the metal whose spectrum is desired or serves to support a layer of that metaL Ionization of the inert gas occurs when a potential on the order, of 300 V is applied across the electrodes, which genetates a current of about 5 to 15 rnA as ions and electrons migrate to the electrodes. If the potential is sufficiently large, the gaseous cations acquire enough
kinetic energy to dislodge some of the metal atoms from the cathode surface and produce an atomic cloud in a process called sputtering. A portion of the sputtered metal atomare in excited states and thus emit their characteristic radiation as they return to the ground state. Eventually, the metal atoms diffuse back to the cathode surface or to the glass walls of the tube and are redeposited.