In the ever-evolving field of atomic absorption spectroscopy, accuracy and sensitivity are vital. Light sources must be stable, precise, and tailored to meet the needs of modern scientific analysis. High-Frequency Electrodeless Discharge Lamps (HF EDLs) are among the most effective tools for this purpose. Developed to emit narrow and intense spectral lines, these lamps offer exceptional performance for laboratories and researchers working in element detection and quantification.
This article explores three specialized types of HF EDLs—
isotope lamps,
multielement lamps, and
pure gas lamps—all of which are designed to provide enhanced analytical capabilities and efficiency.
Isotope Electrodeless Discharge Lamps: Focused Sensitivity
Most chemical elements consist of multiple naturally occurring isotopes. For instance, mercury has seven stable isotopes, while others like fluorine and gold exist in a single stable form. When multiple isotopes are present in a discharge lamp, the emitted spectral line can become broadened due to isotope shifts. This broadening reduces resolution and can lower sensitivity in precise atomic absorption measurements.
To overcome this,
isotope-specific electrodeless discharge lamps have been developed. By incorporating only a single isotope into the lamp, the emission line becomes narrower and more defined, improving analytical accuracy. These lamps are ideal for high-sensitivity measurements where interference must be minimized.
Our laboratory has successfully developed and manufactured isotope-specific HF EDLs using isotopes such as:
- Mercury-202 (Hg202)
- Cadmium-114 (Cd114)
- Lead-208 (Pb208)
- Tin-120 (Sn120)
- Thallium-205 (Tl205)
Other isotopes can be integrated on request, depending on the needs of specific research or industrial applications.
Multielement Electrodeless Discharge Lamps: Efficient Multi-Element Analysis
In many analytical workflows, it is necessary to measure several elements in a sample. Traditionally, this has required changing the light source to match each element—a time-consuming and inefficient process. To address this,
multielement electrodeless discharge lamps have been engineered.
These lamps combine two or more elements within a single discharge unit, allowing users to perform
simultaneous multi-element detection without the need for lamp replacement. This not only saves time but also streamlines the workflow in labs performing routine analysis or processing large batches of samples.
Examples of combined lamp compositions developed in our lab include:
- Mercury-Cadmium (Hg-Cd)
- Mercury-Zinc (Hg-Zn)
- Mercury-Cadmium-Zinc (Hg-Cd-Zn)
- Selenium-Tellurium (Se-Te)
Additional combinations are available upon request, offering flexibility for a variety of applications such as environmental monitoring, clinical testing, metallurgy, and more.
Pure Gas Electrodeless Discharge Lamps: Stability in Rare and Light Gases
Another important category includes
pure gas electrodeless discharge lamps, which are used in a range of spectroscopic and
diagnostic systems. These lamps rely on the emission properties of inert and molecular gases to provide stable and distinctive light sources.
We offer lamps containing:
- Helium (He)
- Neon (Ne)
- Argon (Ar)
- Xenon (Xe)
- Hydrogen (H₂)
- Iodine (I₂)
- Other gases on demand
Producing stable lamps using light elements such as hydrogen and helium has traditionally been a challenge. These atoms can penetrate the discharge vessel over time, causing a rapid drop in lamp performance. To solve this, our laboratory developed a
specialized containment and activation technology that significantly extends the operational life of these lamps. With this advancement, helium lamps can now operate for extended periods, while hydrogen lamps also achieve much-improved service durations compared to earlier designs.
Custom shapes and sizes are available, allowing these gas lamps to be integrated into a wide range of scientific instruments or experimental setups.
Conclusion
From isotope-specific analysis to multi-element detection and pure gas emission, our High-Frequency Electrodeless Discharge Lamps are engineered to meet the diverse needs of modern atomic spectroscopy. These advanced light sources offer unmatched stability, sensitivity, and efficiency—empowering laboratories to perform more accurate and reliable measurements.
Whether you’re conducting environmental assessments, studying materials, or running high-throughput industrial tests, the right light source can make all the difference. Electrodeless discharge technology, refined over years of development, continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in atomic absorption and beyond.
