AA Hollow Cathode Lamps — Recommended Operating Conditions

Single Element, Multi-Element and Continuum Lamps

Operation The Table
A number of factors affect successful lamp operation. These relate to lamp warm-up time, lamp This table lists operating conditions for each analytical wavelength, under the following headings:
intensity and the isolation of the preferred analytical line. Each hollow cathode lamp is different in • Window Material — Pyrex for those elements with absorbing wavelengths above 300 nm.
these respects. For example, the warm-up characteristics, line intensity and spectral isolation for Fused silica when wavelengths below 300 nm are required.
arsenic are quite different to those for copper or iron. • Recommended Current — provides an adequate intensity. Higher currents will always reduce
Warm-up the working life of the lamp and for some elements will produce a reduction in absorption
Particularly with a single-beam instrument, it is important to allow at least ten minutes of lamp signal.
warm-up before attempting an analytical measurement. Some elements, or lamps that use higher • Maximum Current — to prevent permanent lamp damage, never exceed this value.
operating currents, may require longer times. This time will allow the lamp to reach a relatively • Wavelengths — the wavelengths indicated are those most commonly used in atomic
stable output. With double-beam operation, the warm-up period is not observable. Nevertheless, absorption.
it is wise to allow for warm-up before attempting any analytical measurements. • Recommended Slit — the recommended spectral bandpass at each wavelength for the
Intensity recommended current. Where there is an adjacent line, a smaller slit may provide a more
Each analytical line from a hollow cathode lamp has a characteristic intensity that relates to the sensitive and linear calibration, but a higher noise level is likely. Conversely, a larger slit will
observable signal-to-noise level of the atomic absorption instrument. The greater the intensity reduce noise, but a less sensitive calibration with greater curvature may be obtained.
of the analytical line, the lower the noise level. Such differences in the measured noise level • Relative Sensitivity — of alternate wavelengths is an approximate indication of the reduction in
between different lamps are quite normal. absorbance signal that may be expected relative to the most sensitive line. The most sensitive
wavelength is assigned a value of 1. Alternative wavelengths are used to avoid sample dilution
Fill Gas
when the element is present in high concentrations.
All lamps are filled with neon gas for freedom from interfering lines at the most sensitive
• Relative Intensity — an indication of the lamp signal intensity at each wavelength using the
wavelengths, except the Cs and Al/Ca/Mg lamps, which are filled with argon and the D2 lamp,
recommended current and slit. The most intense wavelength is assigned a value of 100.
which is filled with deuterium.
Single Element Lamps
Element Coded Part Uncoded Part Window Current (mA) Wavelengths Recommended Relative Relative Element Coded Part Uncoded Part Window Current (mA) Wavelengths Recommended Relative Relative
Number Number Material Rec. Max. (nm) Slit (nm) Sensitivity Intensity Number Number Material Rec. Max. (nm) Slit (nm) Sensitivity Intensity
Ag Silver 5610105200 5610127200 Pyrex 4 10 328.1 0.5 1 100 Mo Molybdenum 5610103500 5610125400 Fused silica 7 15 313.3 0.5 1 100
338.3 0.5 2 90 320.9 0.2 15 10
Al Aluminium 5610100100 5610122000 Fused silica 10 15 309.3 0.5 1 80 Na Sodium 5610105300 5610127300 Pyrex 5 10 589.0 0.5 1 100
396.2 (Z) 0.5 2 100 589.6 (Z) 0.5 2 60
237.3 0.5 5 3 330.3 0.5 500 2
257.4 0.5 11 5 Nb Niobium 5610103800 5610125700 Pyrex 20 20 334.9 0.2 1 10
256.8 0.5 17 3 358.0 0.5 1 50
As Arsenic 5610100300 5610122200 Fused silica 10 12 193.7 0.5 1 50 408.0 0.5 1 70
197.2 1.0 2 100 405.9 0.5 1 100
189.0 1.0 0.5 54 Nd Neodymium 5610103600 5610125500 Pyrex 20 20 492.5 0.2 1 100
Au Gold 5610102100 5610124000 Fused silica 4 10 242.8 1.0 1 60 486.7 0.2 7 20
267.6 1.0 2 100 Ni Nickel 5610103700 5610125600 Fused silica 4 10 232.0 0.2 1 5
B Boron 5610100700 5610122600 Fused silica 20 20 249.8 0.2 1 100 352.5 0.2 5 100
208.9 0.2 2 40 351.5 0.2 10 30
Ba Barium 5610100400 5610122300 Pyrex 20 20 553.6 0.5 1 100 362.5 0.2 500 10
350.1 0.5 600 20 P Phosphorus 5610107700 5610126000 Fused silica 20 20 213.6 1.0 1 100
Be Beryllium 5610100500 5610122400 Fused silica 5 15 234.9 1.0 1 100 Pb Lead 5610102900 5610124800 Fused silica 10 12 217.0 1.0 1 20
Bi Bismuth 5610100600 5610122500 Fused silica 5 10 223.1 0.2 1 15 283.3 (Z) 0.5 2 100
306.8 0.5 4 100 261.4 0.5 40 30
227.7 0.5 30 30 Pd Palladium 5610104000 5610125900 Fused silica 5 15 244.8 0.2 1 1
Ca Calcium 5610101000 5610122900 Fused silica 10 10 422.7 0.5 1 100 247.6 0.2 2 1
239.9 0.2 200 10 340.5 1.0 7 100
Cd* Cadmium 5610100800 5610122700 Fused silica 4 10 228.8 0.5 1 40 Pt Platinum 5610104100 5610126100 Fused silica 10 20 265.9 0.2 1 30
326.1 0.5 400 100 299.8 0.5 6 100
Co Cobalt 5610101300 5610123200 Fused silica 7 15 240.7 0.2 1 20 Rb Rubidium N/A 5610126600 Pyrex 20 20 780.0 0.2 1 100
242.5 (Z) 0.2 2 90 794.8 0.2 3 60
304.4 0.5 15 40 420.2 0.2 100 20
346.6 0.2 40 100 421.6 0.2 300 10
Cr Chromium 5610101200 5610123100 Pyrex 7 15 357.9 0.2 1 40 Re Rhenium 5610104400 5610126400 Pyrex 20 20 346.0 0.2 1 100
429.0 0.5 7 100 346.5 0.2 2 70
520.8 0.2 200 20 345.2 0.2 3 40
520.5 0.2 500 15 Rh Rhodium 5610104500 5610126500 Pyrex 5 15 343.5 0.5 1 100
Cs Cesium N/A 5610122800 Pyrex 20 20 852.1 1.0 1 50 Ru Ruthenium N/A 5610126700 Pyrex 10 15 349.9 0.2 1 100
455.5 0.5 5 100 392.6 0.2 10 60
Cu Copper 5610101400 5610123300 Fused silica 4 10 324.8 0.5 1 100 Sb Antimony 5610100200 5610122100 Fused silica 10 15 217.6 0.2 1 20
327.4 (Z) 0.5 2 50 231.2 0.5 2 100
217.9 0.2 8 3 Sc Scandium N/A 5610126900 Pyrex 10 15 391.2 0.2 1 100
218.2 0.2 10 2 327.4 0.2 3 20
222.6 0.2 40 5 326.9 0.2 5 10
244.2 1.0 270 15 Se Selenium 5610105000 5610127000 Fused silica 10 12 196.0 1.0 1 100
Eu Europium N/A 5610123600 Pyrex 10 20 459.4 1.0 1 100 204.0 0.5 15 60
333.4 0.5 300 10 Si Silicon 5610105100 5610127100 Fused silica 10 15 251.6 0.2 1 100
Fe Iron 5610102700 5610124600 Fused silica 5 15 248.3 0.2 1 15 250.7 0.5 3 60
372.0 0.2 10 100 252.4 0.5 4 50
386.0 0.2 15 50 288.2 0.2 20 80
Ga Gallium N/A 5610123800 Fused silica 4 15 294.4 0.5 1 100 Sm Samarium N/A 5610126800 Pyrex 10 20 429.7 0.2 1 20
287.4 0.5 1 60 476.0 0.5 2 100
272.0 0.5 30 10 Sn Tin 5610106100 5610128100 Fused silica 7 15 235.5 0.5 1 60
Gd Gadolinium N/A 5610123700 Pyrex 20 20 368.4 0.2 1 60 286.3 (Z) 0.5 2 100
405.8 0.2 1.5 100 300.9 0.5 4 80
Ge Germanium N/A 5610123900 Fused silica 5 10 265.2 1.0 1 100 266.1 0.5 20 10
269.1 0.5 5 15 Sr Strontium 5610105400 5610127400 Pyrex 10 15 460.7 0.5 1 100
303.9 0.5 20 50 Ta Tantalum 5610105500 5610127500 Fused silica 20 20 271.5 0.2 1 50
Hf Hafnium 5610102200 5610124100 Fused silica 10 15 307.3 0.2 1 15 275.8 0.5 5 100
368.2 0.5 6 100 Te Tellurium 5610105600 5610127600 Fused silica 10 12 214.3 0.2 1 10
Hg Mercury 5610103400 5610125300 Fused silica 4 8 253.7 0.5 1 100 225.9 0.5 15 100
In Indium N/A 5610124400 Fused silica 5 10 303.9 0.5 1 100 238.6 0.2 150 60
271.0 0.2 20 5 Ti Titanium 5610106200 5610128200 Pyrex 20 20 364.3 0.5 1 100
Ir Iridium 5610102600 5610124500 Fused silica 10 10 208.9 0.2 1 5 365.4 0.2 1 40
264.0 (Z) 0.2 3 100 399.0 0.5 2 90
265.5 0.2 4 80 Tl Thallium 5610105800 5610127800 Fused silica 10 15 276.8 0.5 1 100
254.4 0.2 5 50 258.0 1.0 75 20
K Potassium 5610104200 5610126200 Pyrex 5 10 766.5 1.0 1 100 V Vanadium 5610106500 5610128500 Fused silica 20 20 318.5 0.2 1 40
769.9 1.0 2 80 318.4 0.2 2 60
404.4 0.5 400 5 306.6 0.5 4 50
La Lanthanum N/A 5610124700 Pyrex 20 20 550.1 0.2 1 50 439.0 0.5 8 100
403.7 0.5 3 90 W Tungsten N/A 5610128300 Fused silica 20 20 255.1 0.2 1 5
357.4 0.5 6 100 400.9 0.5 4 100
Li Lithium 5610103000 5610124900 Pyrex 5 10 670.8 1.0 1 100 407.4 0.5 8 80
323.3 0.2 400 0.2 Y Yttrium N/A 5610128700 Pyrex 10 15 410.2 0.5 1 100
610.4 0.5 7000 5 414.3 0.5 2 50
Mg Magnesium 5610103200 5610125100 Fused silica 4 10 285.2 0.5 1 100 Zn Zinc 5610106800 5610128800 Fused silica 5 10 213.9 1.0 1 100
202.6 1.0 30 3 307.6 1.0 8000 60
Mn Manganese 5610103300 5610125200 Fused silica 5 15 279.5 0.2 1 90 Zr Zirconium 5610106900 5610128900 Pyrex 20 20 360.1 0.2 1 60
403.1 0.2 12 100 468.8 0.2 8 100
321.7 0.2 3000 3

(Z) Recommended wavelength for Zeeman AA

* These lamps contain Cd above 0.1% by weight. As with all hollow cathode
lamps, handle with care and dispose of properly following local regulations.
 AA Hollow Cathode Lamps — Recommended Operating Conditions

Multi-Element Lamps
Elements Coded Part Uncoded Part Window Current (mA) Wavelengths Rec. Relative Relative Elements Coded Part Uncoded Part Window Current (mA) Wavelengths Rec. Relative Relative
Number Number Material Rec. Max. (nm) Slit (nm) Sensitivity Intensity Number Number Material Rec. Max. (nm) Slit (nm) Sensitivity Intensity
Ag/Cd/Pb/Zn* 5610108700 Fused silica 5 10 Cu/Fe/Mn/Zn 5610109600 Fused silica 10 12
Ag Silver 328.1 0.5 1 100 Cu Copper 324.8 0.5 1 100
338.3 0.5 2 90 327.4 0.5 2 50
Cd Cadmium 228.8 0.5 1 40 Fe Iron 248.3 0.2 1 15
Pb Lead 283.3 0.5 2 100 372.0 0.2 10 100
217.0 1.0 1 20 386.0 0.2 15 50
Zn Zinc 213.9 0.5 1 100 Mn Manganese 279.5 0.2 1 90
Ag/Cr/Cu/Fe/Ni 5610109500 Fused silica 10 12 403.1 0.2 12 100
Ag Silver 328.1 0.5 1 100 Zn Zinc 213.9 0.2 1 100
338.3 0.2 2 90 307.6 0.2 8000 60
Cr Chromium 357.9 0.2 1 40 Cu/Fe/Si/Zn 5610109700 Fused silica 10 12
429.0 0.5 7 100 Cu Copper 324.8 0.5 1 100
520.8 0.2 200 20 327.4 0.5 2 50
Cu Copper 324.8 0.5 1 100 Fe Iron 248.3 0.2 1 15
327.4 0.5 2 50 372.0 0.2 10 100
Fe Iron 248.3 0.2 1 15 386.0 0.2 15 50
372.0 0.2 10 100 Si Silicon 251.6 0.2 1 100
386.0 0.2 15 50 250.7 0.2 3 60
Ni Nickel 232.0 0.2 1 5 Zn Zinc 213.9 0.2 1 100
352.5 0.2 5 100 307.6 0.2 8000 60
351.5 0.2 10 30 Cu/Zn 5610119200 5610129300 Fused silica 7 10
Al/Ca/Mg 5610108800 Fused silica 10 12 Cu Copper 324.8 0.2 1 100
Al Aluminium 309.3 0.5 1 80 327.4 0.2 3 60
396.2 0.5 2 100 Zn Zinc 213.9 0.5 1 100
Ca Calcium 422.7 0.5 1 100 307.6 0.5 8000 60
239.9 0.2 200 10 Na/K 5610107000 5610129000 Pyrex 5 10
Mg Magnesium 285.2 0.5 1 100 Na Sodium 589.0 0.5 1 100
202.6 0.5 30 3 589.6 0.5 2 60
Ca/Mg 5610107100 5610129100 Fused silica 7 12 K Potassium 766.5 1.0 1 100
Ca Calcium 422.7 0.5 1 100 769.9 1.0 2 80
Mg Magnesium 285.2 0.5 1 100 404.4 0.5 400 10
Co/Cr/Cu/Fe/Mn/Ni 5610107600 5610129200 Fused silica 10 15
Co Cobalt 240.7 0.2
Cr Chromium 425.4 0.5
357.9 0.2 Continuum Lamps
Cu Copper 324.8 0.2
Fe Iron 248.3 0.2 Element Coded Part Window Current (mA)
Mn Manganese 279.5 0.2 Number Material Rec. Max.
Ni Nickel 232.0 0.2 Software-
D2 Deuterium G8431-80000 Fused silica controlled
352.5 0.2

High Intensity UltrAA Lamps

Recommended operating conditions for UltrAA lamps are different from those for unboosted Multi-Element UltrAA Lamps
hollow cathode lamps. In some cases, the spectrometer does not provide the benefit of automatic Elements Part Current (mA) Wavelengths Recommended
lamp recognition and automatic selection of the recommended operating parameters. Ag/Cd/Pb/Zn*
Number
5610108900
Recommended Maximum
5 10
(nm) Slit (nm)

Note: Operation of the UltrAA lamp as a normal hollow cathode lamp without the boost active is Ag Silver 328.1 0.5
Cd Cadmium 228.8 0.5
not recommended, as this has been shown to reduce lamp life. For maximum lamp life and best Pb Lead 217.0 1.0
performance from the UltrAA lamp, always operate the lamp with the boost applied. Zn Zinc
283.3
213.9
0.5
1.0
If necessary, set the following lamp operating currents manually to ensure best performance and Ag/Cr/Cu/Fe/Ni
Ag Silver
5610134900 10 15
328.1 0.2
optimum lamp lifetimes. Cr Chromium 357.9 0.2
Cu Copper 324.8 0.2
All lamps are coded unless otherwise indicated, have a quartz window, and are filled with neon Fe Iron 248.3 0.2
gas, except the Al/Ca/Mg lamp, which is filled with argon. Ni
Al/Ca/Mg
Nickel
5610133600 10 12
232.0 0.2

UltrAA lamp operation requires a control module to provide the boost current. This may be either Al Aluminium 309.3
396.2
0.5
0.5
external or integrated in the instrument. Ca Calcium 422.7 0.5
239.9 0.2
The Tables Mg Magnesium 285.2 0.5
These tables list operating conditions for each analytical wavelength, under the following As/Cu/Fe (uncoded) 5610135300 10 15
202.6 0.5

headings: As Arsenic 193.7 0.5

Cu Copper 324.8 0.5
• Recommended Current — provides an adequate intensity. Higher currents will always reduce Fe Iron 248.3 0.2
Co/Cr/Cu/Fe/Mn/Ni 5610134500 10 12
the working life of the lamp and for some elements will produce a reduction in absorption Co Cobalt 240.7 0.2
signal. Cr Chromium 357.9 0.2
Cu Copper 324.8 0.2
• Maximum Current — to prevent permanent lamp damage, never exceed this value. Fe Iron 248.3 0.2
• Wavelengths — the wavelengths indicated are those most commonly used in atomic Mn Manganese 279.5 0.2
Ni Nickel 232.0 0.2
absorption. Co/Mo/Pb/Zn 5610135200 10 12
• Recommended Slit — the recommended spectral bandpass at each wavelength for the Co Cobalt 240.7
242.5 (Z)
0.2
0.2
recommended current. Where there is an adjacent line, a smaller slit may provide a more Mo Molybdenum 313.3 0.2
Pb Lead 217.0 0.2
sensitive and linear calibration, but a higher noise level is likely. Conversely, a larger slit will 283.3 (Z) 0.2
reduce noise, but a less sensitive calibration with greater curvature may be obtained. Zn Zinc 213.9 0.2
Cu/Fe/Mn/Zn 5610135000 10 12
Single Element UltrAA Lamps Cu Copper 324.8 0.2
Fe Iron 248.3 0.2
Element Part Current (mA) Wavelengths Recommended Mn Manganese 279.5 0.2
Number Recommended Maximum (nm) Slit (nm) Zn Zinc 213.9 0.2
As Arsenic 5610108100 10 15 193.7 0.5 Cu/Fe/Si/Zn 5610135100 10 12
Au Gold 5610109000 4 10 242.8 1.0 Cu Copper 324.8 0.2
B Boron 5610135700 10 12 249.8 1.0 327.4 0.5
Bi Bismuth 5610134200 10 12 223.1 1.0 Fe Iron 248.3 0.2
10 12 227.7 0.2 Si Silicon 251.6 0.2
Co Cobalt 5610134100 7 15 240.7 0.5 Zn Zinc 213.9 0.2
7 15 242.5 (Z) 0.2 Cu/Zn 5610134600 4 10
Cu Copper 5610109100 4 10 324.8 0.5 Cu Copper 324.8 1.0
4 10 327.4 (Z) 0.5 Zn Zinc 213.9 1.0
Fe Iron 5610108600 7 10 248.3 0.2 Ni/Se (uncoded) 5610135400 10 12
Ge Germanium 5610134300 8 12 265.2 1.0 Ni Nickel 232.0 0.2
Mn Manganese 5610133700 10 15 279.5 0.2 Se Selenium 196.0 1.0
10 15 403.1 0.2
Ni Nickel 5610108500 7 10 232.0 0.2
Pb Lead 5610108200 10 12 217.0 1.0
10 12 283.3 (Z) 0.5
Pd Palladium 5610135800 5 12 247.6 1.0
5 12 244.8 1.0
Pt Platinum 5610135900 10 12 265.9 0.5
Sb Antimony 5610108000 7 10 217.6 0.5
Se Selenium 5610108300 10 12 196.0 1.0
Si Silicon 5610133400 10 15 251.6 0.2
Sn Tin 5610133900 10 15 235.5 0.5
10 15 286.3 (Z) 0.5
Te Tellurium 5610134000 10 15 214.3 0.2
Tl Thallium 5610108400 7 10 276.8 0.5

(Z) Recommended wavelength for Zeeman AA

* These lamps contain Cd above 0.1% by weight. As with all hollow cathode
lamps, handle with care and dispose of properly following local regulations.

© Agilent Technologies 2000,

2002-2006, 2009, 2010, 2012,
2013, 2016
Publication number 3110072500

*3110072500*
*3110072500*