Spark spectrometer
A spark spectrometer ( English Optical Emission Spectrometer , OES ; German: Optical Emission Spectrometer ) is a device for chemical analysis and is used to display the emission spectrum of chemical substances . Its main use is in the rapid analysis of metal alloys . For simpler, extremely fast analyzes (e.g. mass test in quality assurance, sorting of scrap ), an electric arc between a copper or silver electrode and a roughly ground material sample is used. As a result, sample material is evaporated and the released atoms and ions are excited by electron impact. The emitted radiation is conducted via light guides to the optical systems, where it is then broken down into its individual spectral components. Every element contained in the sample emits at several wavelengths and can therefore be measured using photomultipliers . The radiation intensity measured in this way is proportional to the concentration of the element in the sample. For more precise analyzes (e.g. material testing, melt management in foundries and steel works ), a periodic spark under argon is used between a tungsten electrode and a very carefully prepared material sample.
In contrast to X-ray fluorescence analysis , the content of lighter elements such as carbon can also be measured. At higher levels, there may be measurement limits depending on the existence of suitable calibration samples.
For more information see atomic spectroscopy .
Individual evidence
- ↑ Elementar Analysensysteme GmbH: ferro.lyte. October 21, 2019, accessed October 22, 2019 .