The Spectroscopy Net

Gateway

The generator supplies the spark. It provides the following functions: initiating, regulated power supply to the discharge and repetition of a given number of cycles.

The generator includes two parts: a main circuit charged by a low voltage power supply, which supplies the energy for the discharges, and an initiating circuit, placed next to the electrode, which generates the ionizing pulses.

The high voltage, low current ionizing pulse causes the 'entrode' to conduct. The pulse is generated by the discharge of a capacitor. The initiating voltage is set by a specific component, either a thyratron or a spark gap.

The regulated power supply to the generator charges the capacitor in the main circuit under a reference voltage independent from the mains voltage. It provides a constant discharge energy level.

The capacitor in the main circuit stores this energy and discharges through the 'entrode'. A high speed diode provides spark unidirectionality.

An analysis uses a number N of discharges whose signals accumulate. This "integration" reduces measurement deviation by a factor 1/ N.

The spark parameters, i.e. charging voltage, value of the components of the main circuit, repetition frequency and total analysis time, make up a set of conditions which are selected by the operator according to analytical application.

Author: Jean Charles Lefebvre, Jobin-Yvon Emission

First published on the web: 15 November 1999.

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