ANALYTICAL PERFORMANCE OF ARSENIC AND SELENIUM BOASTED HOLLOW-CATHODELAMPS

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 intensi ty characteristics of HCLs and BHCLs and the calibration curves under different conditions are compared to characterize the analytical perfo rmance of the lamps studied. Intensity ratios (I-BHCL/I-HCL) of 18 and 4 were calculated for arsenic and selenium. The slope of the calibrat ion curves improved 30% with the use of BHCLs for both elements. (C) 1 998 Academic Press.