Abstract: An apparatus and method for analyzing mercury by the atomic absorption spectrometry technique consisting of a quartz collecting tube containing a metallic net for collecting an amalgam of mercury sample, a heater for heating the collecting tube sufficiently to convert the mercury sample to an atomic state for appropriate analysis at another location, and a fluid cooling device for quickly cooling the collecting tube and metallic net to thereby prepare for the next sample analysis. The collecting tube is positioned and arranged such that in a first position it is inside of the heater and quickly after conversion of the mercury sample the tube is moved to a second position outside of the heater and adjacent to the cooling device.

Abstract: A laser system includes a multimode laser diode positioned at a range from a target. Backscatter from the target returns into the diode and to modify the emission. An induced modulation frequency in the emission effects oscillatory mode transitions to create an amplitude modulation in mode power for a selected mode, the mode being selected by an optical spectrum analyser or an interference filter. The diode is positioned initially for a minimum in the amplitude modulation, and readjusted by a selected increment in response to an incremental change in target position so as to reestablish the amplitude modulation to the minimum. The incremental change thereby equals the selected increment.

Abstract: A solenoid serves for generating a magnetic field at the location of a sample which is to be atomized in an atomic absorption spectrometer. A shift of the absorption lines of the atoms in a sample relatively to the emission lines in a measuring light beam (18) passed through the atomized sample is effected by the magnetic field due to the Zeeman effect. The solenoid (44) comprises a pair of pole pieces (46, 48) between which an air gap is formed. An atomizing device atomizes the sample within this air gap. Field coils generate a magnetic flux through the pole pieces (46, 48), the air gap and a magnetic return path (76). The field coils (60, 62) are arranged on pole pieces (46, 48) close to the air gap. The windings of the field coils (60, 62) are formed by tubes (216) which are designed to permit passage of a cooling liquid therethrough.

Abstract: A device for electrothermal atomization of a sample for spectroscopic purposes comprises a furnace (10) which is held between two contacts (54, 56). The contacts (54, 56) surround the furnace (10 ) and form a cavity (58) with an insulating gap (88) being formed between the contacts (54, 56). This gap (88) is closed by a seal (142) made of ceramic felt so that inert gas passed into the cavity (58) emerges only through a bore (14) of the furnace (10) and sample inlet ports (116, 120). Thereby, the inert gas consumption is reduced well-defined flow conditions also result for the inert gas in the cavity (58) which expands when the furnace (10) is heated.

Abstract: A polarimeter for measuring the rotation of optically active samples comprises a light source which generates a measuring light beam, a polarizer mounted for rotation about the beam axis of the measuring light beam, a driving mechanism for reciprocating rotational movement of the polarizer, a sample vessel, an analyzer behind the sample vessel, a photoelectric detector, and balancing means which are controlled by the signal of the photoelectric detector and by which a position can be achieved in which the polarizer and analyzer are arranged substantially crosswise. The balancing means comprises a steeper motor for rotating the polarizer with an adjusting movement superimposed by the reciprocatingly rotational movement by which adjusting movement a quick coarse balancing of the polarizer plane of the measuring light beam relative to a zero position of the analyzer is achieved.

Abstract: A belt tensioning apparatus using a spring to provide the proper tension in a belt. A belt/pulley assembly is disclosed with one pulley slidably mounted on a bracket. A spring compressed to a fixed distance to provide a known force is attached to the bracket by a screw. The bracket, being initially free to move, transfers the force to the belt/pulley assembly for providing the optimum tension in the belt/pulley assembly. Once the proper tension in the belt is obtained, the bracket can be securely fixed, preventing movement between the pulleys in the assembly. Re-tensioning, when necessary, is accomplished easily by simply loosening and resecuring the bracket.

Abstract: An atomic emission spectrometer for multi-element measurement of elements in a sample comprises an apparatus to atomize the sample and to excite the atoms for emitting characteristic spectral lines, a dispersion device which generates a spectrum of the light emitted by the atoms in a focal plane, and a plurality of semiconductor photodetectors, each of which is exposed to one of said characteristic spectral lines. A plurality of semiconductor photodetectors which are exposed to different spectral lines of different intensities of the line spectrum emitted by the atoms of the respective element are utilized so as to achieve a sufficiently large dynamic range for each element to be measured. For measuring each element, an evaluating circuit is arranged to select one semiconductor photodetector for which the intensity of the associated spectral line lies within a part of the measuring range of the semiconductor photodetector which is as favorable as possible.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of assembling a chromatography column including the steps of providing a cylindrical core element, winding an innermost layer of uniformly spaced fibers helically about the core element, winding a plurality of concentric annular layers of uniformly spaced fibers about the innermost layer so that the fibers of each layer are helically wound about the most inwardly adjacent layer in reverse hand orientation relative to the next inwardly adjacent layer, enveloping the outermost layer of fibers in a column housing, and coating the fibers with stationary phase material.

Abstract: A scanning mass spectrometer (10) in combination with an electro-optical detector (100) which enable greatly increased speed of mass determinations by detecting a limited range of masses simultaneously, thus reducing the number of discrete magnetic field adjustments required over a large range of masses. The electro-optical detector (100) includes a channel electron multiplier assembly (94) with the surface of an image plate (80) located along the ion focal plane (44) and at an angle to the exit plate (106) of the magnetic sector (26) and a fiberoptic window (134) of a special shape optically coupled between the angled image plate (80) and a photodiode detector array (140).

Abstract: In an atomic absorption spectrometer, a burner 16 for atomizing a sample is movable between a first and a second position. In the first position, the "cloud of atoms" is formed in the area of the housing-fixed measuring light beam 14. In the second position, it is formed outside the measuring light beam. The measurement is made in the first position whereby the utilization of the energy of the measuring light beam is optimal. A drift compensation is made in the second position to take care of variations of the lamp intensity and of the detector sensitivity.

Abstract: The present application is directed to new and improved apparatus for use in analytical instruments which includes an elongated dosing tube having a tip at one end which is constructed and arranged to move between a sample vessel, a rinsing vessel and an analytical instrument; the other end of the dosing tube being connected in fluid flow communication to a rinsing liquid supply vessel through a sample pump assembly and a rinsing liquid pump assembly; the liquid pump assembly including a pump cylinder having an inlet and an outlet; a pump piston arranged for reciprocal movement in the pump cylinder between a first end position in the discharge direction and an opposite second end position in the intake direction; a first check valve mounted on the inlet of the pump cylinder and a second check valve mounted on the outlet of the pump cylinder; a seal mounted adjacent the outlet which cooperates with the pump piston to sealingly close the outlet when the pump piston is positioned in its first end position in the

Abstract: In an atomic absorption spectrometer with an atomizing device (190) and a line emitting light source (16), an optical system (22,28 . . . ) for generating a measuring light beam (18), and a photo-electrical detector (38), which are arranged in a housing (10) which forms a sample cavity (12) accessible from the outside and which is passed through by a measuring light beam (18) and into which different atomizing devices can be optionally inserted, the atomizing device (190) with the specific components (104,124,126) is assembled to form an insert unit (100) in which the atomizing device (190) in the form of a graphite furnace has a well-defined position relatively to the insert unit (100) and which in turn can be inserted into the sample cavity (12) in a well-defined position to provide an entirely functioning atomic absorption spectrometer.

Abstract: In a device for supplying liquid to an atomization device operating with a nebulizer (22) in a spectrometer, the liquid is fed to the nebulizer (22) by a peristaltic pump (10) through a supply conduit (12). A valve (18) responding to liquid pressure is arranged closely in front of the nebulizer (22) and controls a connection between the supply conduit (12) and an outlet (30) through which excess liquid can flow off. A sensor (44) responding to the opening of the valve (18) is adapted to control the speed of the peristaltic pump (10), such that the quantity fed by the peristaltic pump (10) is slightly larger than the feeding capacity of the nebulizer (22).

Abstract: Sample liquid is vaporized by a thermospray vaporizer with a heated capillary tube. The end of the capillary tube is inserted into a graphite tube furnace while the furnace and a vertical sample platform in the furnace is at an above-ambient deposition temperature. Vapor spray emerging from the capillary tube is directed at the platform. Sample substances are deposited on the platform while vaporized solvent is drawn off by a vacuum.

Abstract: A sample holder for use with a bending measuring system. A probe shaft is disposed in an elongated tube. A probe tip is removeably mounted at one end of the probe shaft. The other end of the probe shaft is adapted to be fixed to the bending measuring system. A double knife edge platform supports a sample at each end and the probe tip contacts the sample at its center. Proper alignment between the sample and probe tip is obtained by having means which permit radial adjustment of the platform and rotation of the probe shaft about its central axis.

Abstract: A gas analyzer (10) for detecting low concentrations of a specific gas which has a sample chamber comprising passages (14, 30, and 32) through which radiant energy is directed and which is pressure modulated by a loud speaker (36) both of which provide a radiant energy signal which is detected by a beam splitter (82) having a measurement channel (86) directed to a measurement detector (92) and a reference channel (84) with a reference cell (94), containing gas of the type being analyzed, directed to a reference detector (90). Both detectors (92, 90) produce a signal, and these signals and a cross channel normalization constant are processed by an algorithm. The loudspeaker (36) is isolated from the sample chamber by a flexible diaphragm (42) to eliminate phase changes in the pressure modulated output of the loud speaker (36).

Abstract: A method identifies components in a sample by spectrally analyzing the sample in a spectrophotometer. The sample data points output from the spectrophotometer are detected in a detector before being stored in an array in a data station. A preselected smoothing bandwidth is entered into the data station from a keyboard. The bandwidth is converted to a strength parameter; and thereafter each of the smoothed data points is stored before being output as an array of smoothed data points to form a modified spectral display, which identifies the components in the sample.

Abstract: A method for forming an electrostatic field deflector tube (50) for use in an electron beam machine (10) which comprises the use of a rigid boring bar (88) with a diamond scribe tip (90) and a rigid holder (92) for the metal coated tube. The scribe tip (90) is positioned within the bore of the tube and the boring bar (88) is stroked in a direction parallel to the tube axis while engagement with the inner coating to scribe very narrow lines (66) on the inner surface of the tube. These lines (66) are formed over a major portion of the length of the tube and of a width less than 0.001 in. After each scribing step, the tube (or the boring bar and scribe tip as the case may be) is incrementally rotated to form a number of separate electrically isolated areas. Dial position indicators with digital readouts (92) locate the scribe tip (90) within a few ten thousandths of an inch and optical and resiatance means are used to determine the integrity of each scribed line.

Abstract: An electrothermal atomization furnace comprises a tubular furnace body (10) with contact projections (12, 14) arranged on opposite sides and having contractions (56, 58) adjacent to cylindrical contact elements (24, 26) with conical contact surfaces (28, 30). A platform for receiving sample can be placed in the furnace which is only indirectly heated by the furnace. Further, curent-supplying contacts are provided for holding the furnace and through which current is passed transversely through the furnace body. The contacts form a cavity into which inert gas is introduced.

Abstract: Nucleotides conjugated with a chelating agent and labeled with a lanthanide, especially terbium, are readily detected by time-resolved fluorimetry during and following gel electrophoresis. The labeled nucleotide conjugates are very stable, highly fluorescent with a long radiative lifetime and remain fluorescent during dilution and during gel electrophoresis and since an enhancement solution is not required for detection, the labeled nucleotide conjugates can be detected on-line, if desired.