US3893768A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Zeeman modulated spectral source
Assignee: Dalhousie University
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Filing: 1973-10-23
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Granted: 1975-07-08
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Expires: 1993-10-23
Abstract
Abstract Zeeman splitting of spectral lines may be used as a technique for background correction in analytical atomic spectroscopy. Conventional spectral sources suffer two main deficiencies when using this method in that the plasma in conventional lamps becomes unstable and eventually extinguishes when a magnetic field is applied, an unacceptably high magnetic field strength would be required to produce useful Zeeman splitting. In order to alleviate the above, lamps have been constructed in which emission of atomic resonance lines is achieved by sputtering or the volatilisation of sample atoms by the cathodic region of a dc discharge, followed by the excitation and emission of those atoms within the discharge and in which a magnetic field may be applied over the discharge region in parallel with the plasma causing electric field, resulting in magnetic stability.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger Stephens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 10:43
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J3/00; G01J3/02; G01J3/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A spectral source comprising: first and second spaced electrodes mounted within said spectral source, said first and second electrodes adapted to be connected across a potential source to produce a plasma causing electric field having substantially parallel straight lines of electric force in a predetermined discharge region between said electrodes and at least one of said electrodes including a material adapted to emit radiation having predetermined spectral lines; and means adapted to apply a magnetic field to said discharge region with the axis of the magnetic field substantially parallel to said lines of electric force, for producing Zeeman splitting of said spectral lines.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
A spectral source comprising: first and second spaced electrodes mounted within said spectral source, said first and second electrodes adapted to be connected across a potential source to produce a plasma causing electric field having substantially parallel straight lines of electric force in a predetermined discharge region between said electrodes and at least one of said electrodes including a material adapted to emit radiation having predetermined spectral lines; and means adapted to apply a magnetic field to said discharge region with the axis of the magnetic field substantially parallel to said lines of electric force, for producing Zeeman splitting of said spectral lines.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A spectral source as claimed in claim 1 in which at least a portion of each of said electrodes includes a plane surface; said electrodes positioned to provide the discharge region between substantially parallel plane surfaces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A spectral source as claimed in claim 2 in which each of said electrodes consists entirely of said predetermined radiation emitting material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A spectral source as claimed in claim 2 in which said plane surface of each electrode is coated with said predetermined radiation emitting material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A spectral source as claimed in claim 2 in which the first electrode includes a first predetermined radiation emitting material and the second electrode includes a second predetermined radiation emitting material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A spectral source as claimed in claim 2 in which the plane surface of the electrodes are positioned slightly out of parallel to provide a maximum view of the surfaces in one direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
A spectral source as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said predetermined radiation emitting material is liquid, said first electrode includes a rigid wire with one end in electrical contact with said material; said second electrode includes a second rigid wire mounted in parallel to the first wire, to provide a discharge region between said electrodes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
101 words
A spectral source as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said predetermined radiation emitting material is an alkali or an alkaline earth element; said first electrode includes a first non-conducting cylinder; and an electrically conducting rod, axially bored along a portion of its length, positioned within said first cylinder, with said material packed within said bore; said second electrode includes a second non-conducting cylinder; and a rigid electrically conducting wire positioned within said second cylinder; said electrodes mounted within the spectral source to provide a line discharge region between the end of said first electrode and the end of said second electrode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
A spectral source as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said predetermined radiation emitting material is liquid; said first electrode includes a thin rigid metal sheet with one end in electrical contact with said material and said second electrode includes a second rigid metal sheet mounted in parallel to said first sheet, to provide a discharge region between said electrodes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3405303A
Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-07-07 | 1979-01-06 | 1979-07-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-07 | 1983-01-06 | 1983-07-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-07 | 1987-01-06 | 1987-07-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |