A Computerized Television Spectrometer for Emission Analysis

Abstract

A computerized direct reading emission spectrometer has been constructed to perform rapid spectrochemical analyses. The four essential components include a prism-echelle spectrograph to disperse light from the source, a proximity-focus image intensifier to convert ultraviolet radiation to visible, a random-access digital television camera to measure the intensities of many wavelengths simultaneously, and a dedicated minicomputer for control, data processing, and output. At the present stage of development, the intensities of 400 analytical lines can be measured every second during the excitation of a sample and the results can be summed, averaged, or displayed as intensity vs time. Analytical working curves can be automatically constructed and displayed for inspection by the operator. Analyses are reported for Fe in beryl using a graphite powder method and a dc arc, as well as for Zn, Sn, and Pb in Cu alloys using a glow-discharge sputtering source. The analyses yield values comparable to those from more conventional equipment.