The Hollow Cathode Discharge as a Spectrochemical Emission Source

Abstract

The hollow cathode discharge (HCD), a specialized type of glow discharge, has been the subject of investigations by physicists (in particular) and chemists for over a half century. Several hundred literature reports may be found concerning various aspects of the HCD. Despite this, many analytical chemists today would consider the HCD as merely a sharp line source for atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). While this is certainly its most important present application, the HCD has a long history as a spectrochemical emission source allowing direct excitation and analysis of samples. Excellent sensitivities have been reported, but experimental difficulties, including construction of a demountable hollow cathode tube, have limited overall past acceptance of the HCD as an analytical emission technique. However, the current interest by analytical spectroscopists in new methods of atomization and excitation has revived interest in glow discharges. Also, the commercial availability of two demountable hollow cathode tubes and associated vacuum systems now allows easy accessibility to the technique.