Abstract:
A type of spectral source lamp has a hollow cup-shaped cathode, the interior of which is coated with the spectrally emitting element or elements. A technique for forming such a coating of an alloy of an alkali metal (or metals), with, say, tin in the presence of some boron is proposed, (resulting in higher melting points and lower vapor pressures, thereby allowing higher operating lamp currents and consequent spectral radiation intensity). The coating material may be conformed directly on the interior of the cathode cup (say, of titanium) by fusing an alkali metal borohydride with tin, thereby avoiding the need to handle pure alkali metal. The hydrogen gas liberated during alloy formation removes some of the contaminants (e.g., oxides). A boron-containing, glassy slag may be readily separated from the alkali metal alloys. Specific examples in which the alkali metal component is sodium, potassium, or a mixture of sodium and potassium are disclosed. The other metal may be, for example, tin or lead.
Abstract:
The radiation emitting cathode of spectral source lamps often is a hollow cup, the interior of which contains a coating of the spectrally emitting element or elements. The forming of such a coating of an alloy of an alkali metal (or metals) with, say, tin in the presence of some boron is proposed, resulting in higher melting points and lower vapor pressures, thereby allowing higher operating lamp currents and consequent spectral radiation intensity. The coating material is formed, say, directly on the interior of the cathode cup (say, of titanium) by fusing an alkali metal borohydride with tin, thereby avoiding the need to handle pure alkali metal. The hydrogen gas liberated during alloy formation removes some of the contaminants (e.g., oxides). A boron-containing, glassy slag may be readily separated from the alkali metal alloys. Specific examples in which the alkali metal component is sodium, potassium, or a mixture of sodium and potassium are disclosed. The other metal may be, for example, tin or lead.