SPARK EMISSION SPECTROMETER WITH SEPARABLE SPARK CHAMBER

Abstract

The invention relates to an optical emission spectrometer with a spark chamber (10) which comprises a spark stand opening (14) and an oblong electrode (11) being arranged inside thereof for generating a spark and a beam of light originating therefrom. Furthermore, a coupling unit (20) is provided which comprises at least one window being arranged on a window holder and a channel. The spark chamber (10) and the coupling unit (20) are arranged with respect to each other such that the beam of light falls through the window (30) into the channel (21). In addition, the spark chamber (10) and the coupling unit (20) comprise means for purging with an inert gas.

The spark chamber (10) is directly connected with a window holder (31) and via the window holder (31) with the coupling unit (20), wherein between spark chamber (10) and window holder (31) a sealing element (33) is provided. The coupling unit (20) comprises at least one elastic means which is arranged such that it presses the window holder (31) against the spark chamber (10).

Claims

1. An optical emission spectrometer with a spark chamber (10) comprising: a spark stand opening (14) and an oblong electrode (11) being arranged inside thereof for generating a spark and a beam of light originating therefrom, and with a coupling unit (20) which comprises at least one window being arranged on a window holder (31) and a channel, wherein the spark chamber (10) and the coupling unit (20) are arranged with respect to each other such that the beam of light falls through the window (30) into the channel (21), wherein the spark chamber (10) and the coupling unit (20) comprise means for purging with an inert gas, wherein the spark chamber (10) is directly connected with the window holder (31) and via the window holder (31) with the coupling unit (20), wherein between the spark chamber (10) and the window holder (31) a sealing element (33) is provided, and wherein the coupling unit (20) comprises at least one elastic means which is arranged such that it presses the window holder (31) against the spark chamber (10).

2. The optical emission spectrometer of claim 1, wherein the sealing element (33) has a combined axial and radial sealing effect.

3. The optical emission spectrometer of claim 1, wherein the sealing element (33) is an O-ring.

4. The optical emission spectrometer of claim 1, wherein in window holder (31) and/or spark chamber (10) a flute (34) is provided into which the sealing element (33) can be inserted.

5. The optical emission spectrometer of claim 1, wherein the window holder (31) is made of brass.

6. The optical emission spectrometer of claim 1, wherein the window (30) is made of MgF.sub.2 or of quartz.

7. The optical emission spectrometer of claim 1, wherein the elastic means (32) is at least one pre-stressed metal part.

8. The optical emission spectrometer of claim 1, wherein the elastic means (32) is at least spring steel.

9. An optical emission spectrometer, comprising coupling unit (20) comprising a mirror which is arranged such that it redirects the beam of light coming from a channel (21) by 25 to 70° into a second channel (23).

10. The optical emission spectrometer of claim 9, wherein the electrode (11) is held by an electrode collet chuck (12).

11. The optical emission spectrometer of claim 9, wherein the electrode collet chuck (12) is arranged in a sleeve made of an isolation material (13).

12. The optical emission spectrometer of claim 9, wherein the spark chamber (10) and/or the coupling unit (20) is/are fixed with a thread and/or a lock-in device.

Description

[0029] Shown is:

[0030] in FIG. 1 the structure of an optical emission spectrometer according to the present invention.

[0031] The spark chamber or spark head 10 comprises in its interior an electrode 11 onto which a voltage can be applied which is not shown so that this electrode 11 during operation functions as anode. This electrode 11 is inserted in the electrode collet chuck 12 which is preferably manufactured from brass. The electrode collet chuck is surrounded by an isolation body 13 which is preferably manufactured from Teflon or ceramic.

[0032] Furthermore, in the spark chamber 10, preferably opposite to the electrode 11, a spark stand opening 14 is provided onto which during operation the sample to be measured is positioned. The whole spark head 10 is purged with inert gas, preferably argon.

[0033] During operation, then from the electrode 11 into the direction of this not shown sample several thousands of single sparks are generated so that a beam of light is formed. The beam of light which is formed through that falls through the window 30 which preferably consists of magnesium fluoride or quartz, and from there it is guided into and reaches the coupling device 20. Preferably, there, through the channel 21 circumscribed by housing 24 it reaches the mirror 22 which redirects the beam of light into a second channel 23. The whole way of the light within the coupling unit 20 consisting of the first and the second channels 21, 23 is also purged with inert gas which is preferably injected via a channel for feeding in inert gas 25.

[0034] The window is fixed by means of a window holder 31. Preferably, the window holder 31 is manufactured from brass. This window holder 31 abuts on at least one elastic means 32, preferably a spring steel, which ensures that the window holder 31 is permanently pressed into the direction of spark chamber 10.

[0035] Furthermore, between spark chamber 10 and window holder 31 a sealing element 33, preferably an 0-ring, is present for guaranteeing a sealing effect between window holder 31 and spark chamber 10. The back-pressure of the elastic means 32 in combination with the sealing element 33, e.g. the O-ring, results in a gas-tight sealing of spark chamber 10 and coupling unit 20. This back-pressure is guaranteed by fixing the spark chamber and/or the coupling unit 20, for example by screwing in into a thread and/or at least a lock-in device.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0036] 10 spark chamber

[0037] 11 electrode

[0038] 12 electrode collet chuck

[0039] 13 isolation body

[0040] 14 spark stand opening

[0041] 20 coupling unit

[0042] 21 channel

[0043] 22 mirror

[0044] 23 second channel

[0045] 24 housing

[0046] 25 channel for feeding in inert gas

[0047] 30 window

[0048] 31 window holder

[0049] 32 elastic means

[0050] 33 sealing element

[0051] 34 flute