Abstract: A spectroanalytical system with radiation dispersing apparatus having structure for dispersing radiation into a spectrum for concurrent application to a plurality of exit ports; a plurality of radiation sensor channel circuits, each circuit being optically coupled to a corresponding exit port for monitoring radiation at that exit port; sample excitation apparatus for exciting sample material to be analyzed to spectroemissive levels for generating a beam of radiation for dispersion by the dispersion structure; and controller structure for triggering the excitation apparatus to excite the sample material and for generating a gating interval by the channel circuitry for accumulating radiation data during an interval that commences subsequent to application of maximum energy to the sample by the excitation apparatus.

Abstract: A radio frequency excitor apparatus and method produce an inductively coupled plasma to heat an analytic sample. The apparatus includes a radio frequency generator mechanism for producing electrical power of selected radio frequency. The generator mechanism has a power output tuning mechanism comprised of at least one output tuning inductor for determining the generator radio frequency. A separate plasma load circuit is coupled to the generator mechanism and is comprised of a work coil and a series connected, impedance matching capacitor. The work coil is adapted to produce an inductively coupled plasma and the capacitor is adapted to substantially balance the combined inductive reactances of the work coil and plasma. A control mechanism for controlling the power input into the plasma load circuit stabilizes the plasma.

Abstract: A scanning monochromator system comprises a housing, structure defining entrance and exit apertures, and a radiation dispersing component in the housing arranged to disperse radiation passing through the entrance aperture into a spectrum for transmission towards the exit aperture. The dispersing element is directly coupled to an electromagnetic drive transducer with the assembly of a rotary component of the drive transducer and the dispersing component being mounted for rotation as a unit about a stationary axis that is perpendicular to the optical axis of the system so that a selected portion of the radiation dispersed by the dispersing component is passed through the exit aperture. The drive transducer is arranged to move a selected portion of dispersed radiation at the exit aperture over a wavelength range of at least 3000 angstroms with a reproducible accuracy of better than 0.03 angstroms in less than one second.

Abstract: A spark source circuit has a discharge circuit including reactive means connected in circuit between a capacitor and an analytical spark gap and switching means for effectively removing the capacitor from the discharge circuit after an initial flow of current through the spark gap so that the current flow through the spark gap is essentially unidirectional. At the start of the capacitor discharge, the discharge circuit is essentially of the classical RLC oscillatory discharge type; and the switching action converts the discharge circuit to essentially a classical RL discharge type circuit for the remainder of the spark discharge. The circuit is simple and efficient, permits use of ceramic capacitors, and may be housed in a sealed enclosure.

Abstract: A spark source is disclosed having an analytical spark gap, a capacitor, a power supply for charging the capacitor, and an electronic switching tube connected in a series circuit between the capacitor and the spark gap. When the tube is rendered conductive by a triggering pulse or other signal, the capacitor is discharged through the spark gap and the switching tube, which carries the entire discharge current.