Abstract:
A gas-discharge lamp for producing modulated atomic resonance radiation comprising a hermetically sealed cylindrical envelope having a window at one end, two electrodes between which a positive column discharge in a rare gas is maintained during operation by means of a direct-voltage difference, a sputtering electrode essentially consisting of an element having desired resonance radiation characteristics, and a ring to confine the resonance radiation along the axis of the positive column discharge which is located in such a manner that it intersects the window. The sputtering electrode and the ring surround the positive column with the ring positioned between the sputtering electrode and the electrode at the window end. The ring, extending up to the vicinity of the sputtering electrode, has an inner diameter which is smaller than that of the sputtering electrode and a length which is at least equal to the inner diameter. Furthermore, a generator is provided from which a voltage of periodically varying values is applied to the sputtering electrode. The lamp may comprise a plurality of sputtering electrodes and may be used in apparatus for measuring absorption of atomic resonance radiation, particularly for determining traces of elements in a sample.