Hollow-cathode lamp

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-005340",
  "term": "Hollow-cathode lamp",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A light source used in atomic absorption spectroscopy that consists of a cathode made of the analyte element, an anode, and an inert gas sealed within a glass tube. When a voltage is applied, the inert gas ionizes and sputters atoms from the cathode, which then emit light at characteristic wavelengths of the analyte. This lamp produces very narrow spectral lines, matching the absorption profile of the analyte atoms.",
  "synonyms": [
    "line source"
  ],
  "subject": "Analytical Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "glow discharge source",
    "continuum source",
    "spectral line"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 2021, 93, 647. 'Glossary of methods and terms used in analytical spectroscopy (IUPAC Recommendations 2019)' on page 721 (https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2019-0203)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/hollow-cathode-lamp/"
}