What is the purpose of the hallow cathode lamp and what is it main limitation
The purpose of a hollow cathode lamp is to provide a stable and intense light source for spectroscopic instruments, such as atomic absorption spectrometers. They are commonly used for the determination of trace elements in samples.
One of the main limitations of hollow cathode lamps is that they are only capable of emitting specific wavelengths of light, corresponding to the elements present in the cathode material. This means that a separate lamp is required for each element of interest, resulting in the need for a large number of lamps for comprehensive elemental analysis. Additionally, the lamps require regular maintenance and replacement of the cathode material, which can be expensive and time-consuming.