Lamp lighting device, fluorescence detector and chromatograph

Abstract

This lamp lighting device is used for lighting a discharge lamp provided in a fluorescence detector as a light source. The discharge lamp has a configuration in which an anode and a cathode are arranged facing one another in a discharge vessel. The lamp lighting device includes a lamp drive unit, a lamp voltage detecting unit, and a degradation determining unit. The lamp drive unit drives the discharge lamp. The lamp voltage detecting unit detects a lamp voltage during a monitoring period after the discharge lamp in an extinguished state has been lit by insulation breakdown, until a discharge state reaches a predetermined steady state. The degradation determining unit determines a state of degradation of the discharge lamp on the basis of the detected lamp voltage.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lamp lighting device for lighting a discharge lamp used in a fluorescence detector, a fluorescence detector, and a chromatograph. [Background technology]

[0002] In a liquid chromatograph, a fluorescence detector, for example, is used as a detector for detecting separated sample components (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The fluorescence detector is provided with a light source that generates excitation light to be irradiated onto the sample. The light source generates light of a specific wavelength that functions as the excitation light. A discharge lamp such as a xenon lamp is used as the light source for the fluorescence detector.

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-256530 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above-mentioned discharge lamp has, for example, a configuration in which an anode and a cathode are arranged opposite each other within a discharge vessel. Such discharge lamps are usually set with a guaranteed time and a guaranteed number of times that the discharge lamp will operate stably under predetermined conditions. A user can determine whether or not the discharge lamp provided in the fluorescence detector needs to be replaced based on, for example, the actual cumulative lighting time and lighting number of the discharge lamp and the guaranteed time and the guaranteed number of times.

[0005] Specifically, for example, a user installs an unused discharge lamp in a fluorescence detector and records the installation date and time. Furthermore, for the discharge lamp whose installation date and time have been recorded, the user records the lighting time and counts the number of times it has been lit each time the fluorescence detector is used. This allows the user to determine whether or not the discharge lamp needs to be replaced based on the recorded installation date and time, lighting time, and number of times it has been lit. However, if a human error occurs in recording the installation date and time, lighting time, and number of times it has been lit, it will be impossible to properly determine whether or not the discharge lamp needs to be replaced.

[0006] In addition to the above example, it is conceivable that a user may determine whether a discharge lamp needs to be replaced by visually checking the discharge lamp in a lit state. However, the lighting state of a discharge lamp does not change abruptly when the cumulative lighting time exceeds the guaranteed time or when the number of times it has been lit exceeds the guaranteed number of times. A user cannot recognize the deterioration of a discharge lamp unless the brightness of the discharge lamp is significantly reduced or the discharge lamp is flashing. A significant reduction in brightness and flashing of a discharge lamp can occur in a discharge lamp whose cumulative lighting time has greatly exceeded the guaranteed time or whose number of times it has been lit has greatly exceeded the guaranteed number of times. Therefore, a user cannot appropriately determine whether a discharge lamp needs to be replaced by visually checking the discharge lamp alone.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a lamp lighting device, a fluorescence detector, and a chromatograph that are capable of appropriately determining whether or not a discharge lamp needs to be replaced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a lamp lighting device for a discharge lamp provided as a light source in a fluorescence detector, the discharge lamp having an anode and a cathode arranged opposite each other within a discharge vessel, the lamp lighting device comprising: a lamp driving unit that drives the discharge lamp; a lamp voltage detection unit that detects the voltage between the anode and the cathode as the lamp voltage during a monitoring period until the discharge state between the anode and the cathode reaches a predetermined steady state after the discharge lamp, which has been in an unlit state due to driving by the lamp driving unit, is lit due to insulation breakdown between the anode and the cathode; and a deterioration determination unit that determines the deterioration state of the discharge lamp based on the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit.

[0009] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a fluorescence detector including the lamp lighting device according to the first aspect, an optical system that guides light emitted from the lamp lighting device to a sample as excitation light, and a light receiving unit that receives fluorescence emitted from the sample and detects the intensity of the fluorescence.

[0010] A third aspect of the present invention relates to a chromatograph comprising a sample introduction section for introducing a sample into an analytical flow path through which a mobile phase flows, a separation column for separating the sample introduced into the analytical flow path by the sample introduction section into its components, and a detector for detecting the sample components separated by the separation column, wherein the detector includes a fluorescence detector according to the second aspect. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately determine whether or not the discharge lamp needs to be replaced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a lamp lighting device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a lamp voltage waveform when an unused lamp that is in an off state is turned on. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a lamp voltage waveform when a lamp that has reached the end of its useful life and is in an unlit state is turned on. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the lamp lighting process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a lamp lighting device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the lamp lighting process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a lamp lighting device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a fluorescence detector according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a liquid chromatograph according to the fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A lamp lighting device, a fluorescence detector, and a chromatograph according to embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0014] 1. First embodiment <1> Lamp lighting device configuration FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a lamp lighting device according to a first embodiment. A lamp lighting device 200 according to this embodiment is provided in a fluorescence detector and is used to light a discharge lamp 100 that generates excitation light. The discharge lamp 100 includes an anode 101, a cathode 102, and a discharge vessel 110. A discharge medium is sealed inside the discharge vessel 110. Within the discharge vessel 110, the anode 101 and the cathode 102 are arranged facing each other at a distance from each other. The discharge lamp 100 according to this embodiment is a xenon lamp. In a xenon lamp, xenon gas is sealed inside the discharge vessel 110 as a discharge medium. In the following description, the voltage generated between the anode 101 and the cathode 102 of the discharge lamp 100 is referred to as the lamp voltage.

[0015] 1, the lamp lighting device 200 includes a lamp driving unit 210, a lamp voltage detection unit 220, a control unit 230, an operation unit 240, a storage device 250, and a notification unit 260. The lamp driving unit 210 includes a circuit for applying a voltage to the discharge lamp 100, a circuit for adjusting the current flowing through the discharge lamp 100, and the like, and drives the discharge lamp 100 under the control of the control unit 230.

[0016] Specifically, the lamp driving unit 210 applies a starting voltage to, for example, the discharge lamp 100 that is in an off state, which causes a dielectric breakdown between the anode 101 and the cathode 102 in the discharge lamp 100, causing the discharge lamp 100 to light up.

[0017] Thereafter, the lamp driver 210 drives the discharge lamp 100 by adjusting the current flowing between the anode 101 and the cathode 102 so that the discharge between the anode 101 and the cathode 102 transitions sequentially to a glow discharge and an arc discharge, thereby maintaining the lighting state of the discharge lamp 100. During this lighting, the discharge lamp 100 emits light of a specific wavelength corresponding to the discharge medium (xenon in this example).

[0018] In the following explanation, the period from when the discharge lamp 100 is turned on due to dielectric breakdown until when the discharge between the anode 101 and the cathode 102 reaches a steady state where the discharge stabilizes as an arc discharge is called the monitoring period. The steady state will be described later.

[0019] The lamp voltage detection unit 220 detects the lamp voltage at a predetermined sampling period while the lamp lighting device 200 is powered on. The operation device 240 includes one or more switches, a keyboard, a pointing device, etc., and is configured to be operable by a user to issue commands to turn on and off the discharge lamp 100. The operation device 240 is also configured to be operable by a user to input various information used in the lamp lighting process described below.

[0020] The storage device 250 stores various information input from the operating device 240 as well as the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit 220. In FIG. 1, the information stored in the storage device 250 includes a first judgment value, a second judgment value, a third judgment value, and a change rate threshold. The first to third judgment values ​​are used to judge the deterioration state of the discharge lamp 100, which will be described later. The change rate threshold can be used to judge whether the discharge generated in the discharge lamp 100 is in a steady state.

[0021] The notification unit 260 includes, for example, a display device, and presents information about the deterioration of the discharge lamp 100 to the user in response to a signal provided by the control device 230. The display device may be an indicator light including one or more LEDs (light emitting diodes), or may be a liquid crystal display device. The notification unit 260 may also include an audio output device such as a speaker instead of or in addition to the display device.

[0022] The control device 230 is configured, for example, by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory, and includes, as functional units, a drive control unit 231, a deterioration determination unit 232, and a signal output unit 233. A lamp lighting program is stored in the memory of the control device 230. The functional units of the control device 230 are realized by the CPU executing the lamp lighting program stored in the memory. Note that the control device 230 may be configured by a microcomputer instead of the CPU and memory. Also, some or all of the multiple functional units of the CPU in the control device 230 may be realized by hardware such as electronic circuits.

[0023] The following describes each functional unit of the control device 230. The drive control unit 231 controls the operation of the lamp drive unit 210 in response to various commands given from the operation device 240. The drive control unit 231 also controls the operation of the lamp drive unit 210 based on various determination results in the deterioration determination unit 232.

[0024] The deterioration determination unit 232 determines the deterioration state of the discharge lamp 100 based on the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit 220 during the monitoring period. The signal output unit 233 outputs a signal indicating information related to the deterioration of the discharge lamp 100 to the notification unit 260 based on the determination result by the deterioration determination unit 232.

[0025] <2> Relationship between deterioration of discharge lamp 100 and lamp voltage waveform In the following description, an unused discharge lamp 100 is called an unused lamp. A discharge lamp 100 whose cumulative lighting time is equal to the guaranteed time and whose number of lighting times is equal to the guaranteed number of times is called a lifespan lamp. Here, the guaranteed time is a time that is set in advance corresponding to the cumulative lighting time of the discharge lamp 100, and is the time during which the discharge lamp 100 is guaranteed to operate stably under predetermined conditions. The guaranteed number of times is a number that is set in advance corresponding to the number of lighting times of the discharge lamp 100, and is the number of times during which the discharge lamp 100 is guaranteed to operate stably under predetermined conditions.

[0026] FIG. 2 shows an example of a lamp voltage waveform when an unused lamp is turned on. In FIG. 2, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents lamp voltage. In the example of FIG. 2, a starting voltage is applied to the unused lamp at time t10, causing the lamp voltage to rise sharply from an initial voltage value v1 (e.g., 0 V). This causes a breakdown to occur, initiating discharge. The lamp voltage reaches a peak value, then drops to a voltage value v3, which is higher than voltage value v1, at time t11. The lamp voltage then drops from voltage value v3 at a substantially constant rate and reaches a voltage value v2, which is higher than voltage value v1 but lower than voltage value v3, at time t12. At this time, the discharge between the anode 101 and the cathode 102 stabilizes as an arc discharge. As a result, the discharge between the anode 101 and the cathode 102 is maintained in a steady state from time t12 onward. In this embodiment, the steady state refers to the discharge state in the discharge lamp 100 when the absolute value of the amount of change in the lamp voltage per unit time is equal to or less than a predetermined change rate threshold. Alternatively, the steady state refers to the discharge state in the discharge lamp 100 when the lamp voltage is continuously within a predetermined steady state determination range for a predetermined steady state determination time. The change rate threshold and the steady state determination range can be determined based on experiments, simulations, etc., taking into consideration noise, etc., occurring in the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit 220.

[0027] Fig. 3 shows an example of a lamp voltage waveform when a lamp with a life expectancy that has been turned off is turned on. In Fig. 3, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents lamp voltage. Furthermore, in Fig. 3, the lamp voltage waveform when a lamp with a life expectancy is turned on is represented by a thick solid line, and the lamp voltage waveform when the unused lamp in Fig. 2 is turned on is represented by a dashed line.

[0028] In the example of FIG. 3, as in the example of FIG. 2, a starting voltage is applied to the end-of-life lamp at time t20, causing the lamp voltage to rise sharply from an initial voltage value v1 (e.g., 0 V). This causes a breakdown to occur, initiating discharge. The lamp voltage reaches its peak value, then drops to a voltage value v5, higher than voltage value v1, at time t21. This voltage value v5 is higher than the voltage value v3 described above. Thereafter, the lamp voltage drops from voltage value v5 at a substantially constant rate and reaches voltage value v4 at time t22. This voltage value v4 is higher than the voltage value v2 described above. At this time, the discharge between the anode 101 and the cathode 102 stabilizes as an arc discharge. After time t22, the discharge between the anode 101 and the cathode 102 is maintained in a steady state.

[0029] In the following explanation, in the examples of Figures 2 and 3, the times t11 and t21 when breakdown occurs and the lamp voltage drops to voltage values ​​v3 and v5, respectively, are referred to as the discharge start times. The lamp voltage waveform when an unused lamp is lit and the lamp voltage waveform when a lifespan lamp is lit basically show the same changes. However, in the examples of Figures 2 and 3, the lamp voltage waveforms differ during the time mp from the discharge start times t11 and t21 to the times t12 and t22 when the lamp voltage reaches a steady state. The time mp from the discharge start times t11 and t21 to the times t12 and t22 when the lamp voltage reaches a steady state is the monitoring period.

[0030] Specifically, as shown in Figure 3, the lamp voltage of a used lamp is higher than the lamp voltage of an unused lamp during its monitoring period mp. Also, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the length of the monitoring period mp corresponding to a used lamp is longer than the length of the monitoring period mp corresponding to an unused lamp.

[0031] 2 and 3, the inventors have found that the discharge lamp 100 has a higher lamp voltage value in a steady state compared to an unused lamp as the cumulative lighting time and the number of lighting times increase. Based on this correlation, it is believed that by monitoring the lamp voltage of a discharge lamp 100 in a steady state, it is possible to determine the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp 100. However, there is no difference between the lamp voltage value detected for an unused lamp in a steady state of discharge (voltage value v2 in FIG. 2) and the lamp voltage value detected for an old lamp in a steady state of discharge (voltage value v4 in FIG. 3) that allows easy determination of the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp 100.

[0032] Therefore, the inventor further repeated various experiments and considerations, including the examples of Figures 2 and 3, and found that the lamp voltage during the monitoring period mp of the discharge lamp 100 becomes higher as the cumulative lighting time and the number of times it is lit increases, compared to an unused lamp.

[0033] The inventors have also found that the greater the cumulative lighting time and the number of lighting times of the discharge lamp 100, the more gradual the decrease in lamp voltage per unit time during the monitoring period mp becomes, compared to an unused lamp, and the longer the monitoring period mp becomes. In other words, the inventors have found that the greater the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp 100, the more gradual the decrease in lamp voltage per unit time during the monitoring period mp becomes, and the longer the monitoring period mp becomes. In this embodiment, the following lamp lighting process is performed based on the above findings in order to appropriately determine whether or not the discharge lamp 100 needs to be replaced in the fluorescence detector.

[0034] <3> Lamp lighting process Fig. 4 is a flowchart of the lamp lighting process according to the first embodiment. The lamp lighting process of Fig. 4 is repeatedly performed at a predetermined cycle while the power supply of the lamp lighting device 200 is on and from the time a lighting command for the discharge lamp 100 is issued until the discharge between the anode 101 and the cathode 102 reaches a steady state, by the CPU of the control device 230 of Fig. 1 executing a lamp lighting program stored in memory. In the lamp lighting device 200, the lighting command for the discharge lamp 100 is issued, for example, by the user operating the operating device 240 of Fig. 1.

[0035] At the start of the lamp lighting process according to this embodiment, as described above, the first, second, and third judgment values ​​and the change rate threshold are stored in advance in the storage device 250 of Fig. 1. The first, second, and third judgment values ​​will be described below. In the following description, a discharge lamp 100 whose accumulated lighting time greatly exceeds the guaranteed time and whose lighting count is sufficiently greater than the guaranteed count will be referred to as a deteriorated lamp.

[0036] The first judgment value is determined by using a plurality of sample unused lamps of the same type as the discharge lamp 100 that is the target of the lamp lighting process. Specifically, each of the plurality of unused lamps is turned on, and the lamp voltage is detected after a predetermined specified time (for example, about 10 msec) has elapsed since the start of discharge. Thereafter, the average value of the lamp voltages detected for the plurality of unused lamps is calculated as the first judgment value. The specified time is determined so that the point after the specified time has elapsed since the start of discharge falls within the monitoring period.

[0037] The second judgment value is determined by using a plurality of sample life-span lamps of the same type as the discharge lamp 100 that is the target of the lamp lighting process. Specifically, each of the plurality of life-span lamps is turned on, and the lamp voltage is detected after the above-mentioned specified time has elapsed since the start of discharge. Then, the average value of the lamp voltages detected for the plurality of life-span lamps is calculated as the second judgment value.

[0038] The third judgment value is determined by using a plurality of sample deteriorated lamps of the same type as the discharge lamp 100 that is the target of the lamp lighting process. Specifically, each of the plurality of deteriorated lamps is turned on, and the lamp voltage is detected after the above-mentioned specified time has elapsed since the start of discharge. After that, the average value of the lamp voltages detected for the plurality of deteriorated lamps is calculated as the third judgment value.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 4, when the lamp lighting process is started, the drive control unit 231 controls the lamp drive unit 210 to start driving the discharge lamp 100 to light it (step S101). Next, the deterioration determination unit 232 determines whether or not a breakdown has occurred based on the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit 220 (step S102). The determination in step S102 is made, for example, by detecting the value of the current flowing through the discharge lamp 100 at a predetermined interval and determining whether a current value equal to or greater than a predetermined value (e.g., several amperes) has been continuously detected for a predetermined period of time (e.g., several hundred milliseconds). Alternatively, the determination in step S102 is made, for example, based on whether or not the detected lamp voltage value is higher than a predetermined voltage value. Alternatively, the determination in step S102 is made, for example, based on whether or not the lamp voltage value has changed abruptly at a rate higher than a predetermined rate of change. The process in step S102 is repeated until a breakdown occurs.

[0040] When a breakdown occurs, the deterioration determination unit 232 sequentially stores the lamp voltage values ​​detected by the lamp voltage detection unit 220 at a predetermined sampling period in the memory of the control device 230 together with information on the time of detection (step S103). The information on the time of detection includes the time since the breakdown occurred or the number of times the lamp voltage has been detected since the breakdown occurred.

[0041] Next, the deterioration determination unit 232 determines whether the discharge between the anode 101 and the cathode 102 is in a steady state based on the plurality of lamp voltage values ​​stored sequentially and the change rate threshold (step S104). Specifically, the deterioration determination unit 232 calculates the amount of change in the lamp voltage per unit time based on the plurality of lamp voltage values ​​stored sequentially in step S103. Furthermore, if the absolute value of the calculated amount of change in the lamp voltage per unit time is greater than the change rate threshold, the deterioration determination unit 232 determines that the discharge is not in a steady state. On the other hand, if the absolute value of the calculated amount of change in the lamp voltage per unit time is equal to or less than the change rate threshold, the deterioration determination unit 232 determines that the discharge is in a steady state.

[0042] In addition to the above example, the deterioration determination unit 232 may determine whether the discharge is in a steady state based on whether the lamp voltage value detected at the time closest to the current time is equal to or greater than a predetermined steady-state reference value. Specifically, the deterioration determination unit 232 may determine that the discharge is in a steady state when the absolute value of the calculated change in the lamp voltage per unit time is equal to or less than a change rate threshold and the lamp voltage value detected at the time closest to the current time is equal to or greater than a predetermined steady-state reference value. In this case, the steady-state reference value is set to, for example, half the rated voltage predetermined for the discharge lamp 100 and is stored in the storage device 250 in advance. This determination method prevents the discharge from being erroneously determined to be in a steady state when the discharge lamp 100 is turned off due to the failure to generate a stable arc discharge after a dielectric breakdown occurs.

[0043] In step S104, if the discharge generated in the discharge lamp 100 is not in a steady state, i.e., if it is in the monitoring period, the deterioration determination unit 232 returns to the processing of step S103. On the other hand, when the discharge generated in the discharge lamp 100 becomes a steady state, the deterioration determination unit 232 determines a representative value from the multiple lamp voltage values ​​stored in the processing of step S103 (step S105). At this time, the deterioration determination unit 232 stops recording the lamp voltage values.

[0044] In this embodiment, the representative value is the lamp voltage value stored at or near the time when the above-mentioned specified time has elapsed since the occurrence of the dielectric breakdown, among the multiple lamp voltage values ​​stored in the processing of step S103.

[0045] As described above, the first judgment value is the lamp voltage value corresponding to an unused lamp, and the second judgment value is the lamp voltage value corresponding to a lamp with a service life. Also, as described above, the lamp voltage value of the discharge lamp 100 increases as the cumulative lighting time increases. Therefore, if the representative value is within the range of the first judgment value or more and the second judgment value or less, it is considered that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp 100 has not yet reached a level that requires replacement. In this embodiment, the range of representative values ​​from the first judgment value or more and the second judgment value or less is called the acceptable range. On the other hand, if the representative value is outside the acceptable range, it is considered that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp 100 has reached a level that requires replacement.

[0046] Therefore, after the process of step S105, the deterioration determination unit 232 determines whether the determined representative value is within the allowable range (step S106). If the representative value is not within the allowable range, the drive control unit 231 controls the lamp drive unit 210 to turn off the discharge lamp 100 (step S111).

[0047] If the representative value is within the allowable range in step S106, or after the processing of step S111, the deterioration determination unit 232 determines whether the representative value is closest to the second determination value among the first to third determination values ​​(step S107).

[0048] As described above, the second determination value is the value of the lamp voltage corresponding to the lamp at the end of its service life. Therefore, when the representative value is closest to the second determination value, the signal output unit 233 provides the notification unit 260 with a notification signal indicating that the discharge lamp 100 needs to be replaced (step S112).

[0049] In step S107, the deterioration determination unit 232 may determine whether the representative value is within a predetermined range including a second determination value. The predetermined range including the second determination value is smaller than half the allowable range determined for the lamp voltage. In this case, when the representative value is within the predetermined range including the second determination value, the signal output unit 233 provides the notification unit 260 with a notification signal indicating that the discharge lamp 100 needs to be replaced. This causes the notification unit 260 to present a notification to the user via a display device or an audio output device indicating that the discharge lamp 100 needs to be replaced.

[0050] If the representative value is not closest to the second judgment value in step S107, or after processing in step S112, the degradation judgment unit 232 judges whether the representative value is closest to the third judgment value among the first to third judgment values ​​(step S107).

[0051] As described above, the third judgment value is the lamp voltage value corresponding to a deteriorated lamp. Therefore, when the representative value is closest to the third judgment value, the signal output unit 233 provides the notification unit 260 with a notification signal indicating that the discharge lamp 100 is well past its replacement time (step S113).

[0052] When determining in step S107 whether the representative value is within a predetermined range including the second determination value, the deterioration determination unit 232 may determine in step S108 whether the representative value is within another range including a third determination value. In this case, the other range including the third determination value is a range that does not overlap with either the above-mentioned allowable range or the predetermined range including the second determination value. When the representative value is within the other range including the third determination value, the signal output unit 233 provides a notification signal to the notification unit 260 indicating that the discharge lamp 100 is well past its replacement date. This causes the notification unit 260 to present a notification to the user via a display device or audio output device indicating that the discharge lamp 100 is well past its replacement date.

[0053] If the representative value is not closest to the third determination value in step S108, or after the processing of step S113, the lamp lighting processing ends. In the lamp lighting processing described above, the processing of steps S106 and S111 may be performed after the processing of either step S107 or S112, or after the processing of either step S108 or S113. Furthermore, the processing of steps S106 and S111 may not be performed.

[0054] In the lamp lighting process described above, steps S107 and S112 may be performed before steps S106 and S111, or after steps S108 and S113. In addition, steps S107 and S112 may not be performed.

[0055] In the lamp lighting process described above, steps S108 and S113 may be performed before steps S106 and S111, or before steps S107 and S112. Steps S108 and S113 may not be performed.

[0056] <4> effect (a) In the above lamp lighting device 200, the deterioration state of the discharge lamp 100 is determined based on the value of the lamp voltage detected during the monitoring period. Specifically, the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp 100 is determined based on the relative relationship between the value of the lamp voltage detected during the monitoring period mp and one or more determination values ​​determined according to the deterioration state of the discharge lamp 100. In addition, the determination result is notified to the user. This allows the user to easily and appropriately understand whether or not the discharge lamp 100 in the fluorescence detector needs to be replaced.

[0057] (b) According to the above configuration, the deterioration state of the discharge lamp 100 is determined based on the lamp voltage of the discharge lamp 100. Therefore, the deterioration state of the discharge lamp 100 can be appropriately determined even for a discharge lamp 100 whose cumulative lighting time and lighting count are unknown.

[0058] (c) In the lamp lighting device 200, the representative value is determined based on the lamp voltage detected in the lamp lighting process. If the representative value is not within the allowable range, the discharge lamp 100 is turned off. This prevents damage to the discharge lamp 100 due to continued use of a discharge lamp 100 in an advanced state of degradation. Furthermore, in a fluorescence detector equipped with the lamp lighting device 200, a decrease in the accuracy of fluorescence detection due to use of a discharge lamp 100 in an advanced state of degradation is suppressed.

[0059] (d) In the lamp lighting device 200 described above, when the representative value is close to the second judgment value, a notification is presented to the user indicating that the discharge lamp 100 needs to be replaced. When the representative value is close to the third judgment value, a notification is presented to the user indicating that the discharge lamp 100 is well past its replacement time. This allows the user to easily and appropriately grasp whether the discharge lamp 100 needs to be replaced.

[0060] 2. Second embodiment The following describes lamp lighting device 200 according to the second embodiment in terms of differences from lamp lighting device 200 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of lamp lighting device 200 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, in lamp lighting device 200 according to this embodiment, control device 230 further includes calculation unit 234 as a functional unit in addition to drive control unit 231, deterioration determination unit 232, and signal output unit 233. Calculation unit 234, like the other functional units, is implemented by the CPU of control device 230 executing a lamp lighting program stored in memory. Note that part or all of calculation unit 234 may be implemented by hardware such as an electronic circuit.

[0061] The calculation unit 234 calculates the difference between the lamp voltage detected after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of discharge and the lamp voltage detected when the discharge state in the discharge lamp 100 is in a steady state, and provides the calculated difference to the deterioration determination unit 232. Then, the deterioration determination unit 232 determines the deterioration state of the discharge lamp 100 based on the difference provided by the calculation unit 234.

[0062] In the lamp lighting device 200 according to this embodiment, the lamp lighting process is also repeated at a predetermined cycle while the power supply of the lamp lighting device 200 is on and from the time when a lighting command for the discharge lamp 100 is issued until the discharge between the anode 101 and the cathode 102 reaches a steady state. Here, the storage device 250 according to this embodiment stores a fourth, fifth and sixth judgment value instead of the first, second and third judgment values ​​according to the first embodiment.

[0063] The fourth judgment value is determined by using a plurality of sample unused lamps of the same type as the discharge lamp 100 that is the target of the lamp lighting process. Specifically, each of the plurality of unused discharge lamps 100 is turned on, and the lamp voltage is detected after a specified time (e.g., about 10 msec) has elapsed since the start of discharge. Furthermore, for each unused lamp, the lamp voltage is detected after the discharge state in the unused lamp has transitioned to a steady state. Thereafter, for each of the plurality of unused lamps, a difference value is calculated between the lamp voltage detected after the specified time has elapsed since the start of discharge and the lamp voltage detected when the discharge state in the unused lamp is in a steady state. In other words, a difference value between the lamp voltages detected at two points before and after the end of the monitoring period is calculated. Finally, the average value of the plurality of difference values ​​calculated for each of the plurality of unused lamps is calculated as the fourth judgment value.

[0064] The fifth judgment value is determined by using multiple sample life-limiting lamps of the same type as the discharge lamp 100 that is the target of the lamp lighting process. Specifically, each of the multiple life-limiting lamps is turned on, and the lamp voltage is detected after the specified time has elapsed since the start of discharge. Furthermore, for each life-limiting lamp, the lamp voltage is detected after the discharge state in that life-limiting lamp has transitioned to a steady state. Then, for each of the multiple life-limiting lamps, a difference value is calculated between the lamp voltage detected after the specified time has elapsed since the start of discharge and the lamp voltage detected when the discharge state in the life-limiting lamp is in a steady state. In other words, a difference value between the lamp voltages detected at two points before and after the end of the monitoring period is calculated. Finally, the average value of the multiple difference values ​​calculated for each of the multiple life-limiting lamps is calculated as the fifth judgment value.

[0065] The sixth judgment value is determined by using multiple sample deteriorated lamps of the same type as the discharge lamp 100 that is the target of the lamp lighting process. Specifically, each of the multiple deteriorated lamps is lit, and the lamp voltage is detected after the specified time has elapsed since the start of discharge. Furthermore, for each deteriorated lamp, the lamp voltage is detected after the discharge state in the deteriorated lamp has transitioned to a steady state. Then, for each of the multiple deteriorated lamps, a difference value is calculated between the lamp voltage detected after the specified time has elapsed since the start of discharge and the lamp voltage detected when the discharge state in the deteriorated lamp is in a steady state. In other words, a difference value between the lamp voltages detected at two points in time, before and after the end of the monitoring period, is calculated. Finally, the average of the multiple difference values ​​calculated for each of the multiple deteriorated lamps is calculated as the sixth judgment value.

[0066] The following describes the lamp lighting process according to the second embodiment, which is executed by the CPU of the control device 230 in Fig. 5. Fig. 6 is a flowchart of the lamp lighting process according to the second embodiment.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 6, in the lamp lighting process according to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the following steps are performed in sequence: control of the start of driving of the discharge lamp 100 (step S201); and determination of whether or not a breakdown has occurred (step S202). If it is determined that a breakdown has occurred, the lamp voltage values ​​detected at a predetermined sampling period are sequentially stored in the memory of the control device 230 together with information on the time of the detection (step S203). Furthermore, based on the sequentially stored multiple lamp voltage values ​​and a change rate threshold value previously stored in the storage device 250, it is determined whether or not the discharge between the anode 101 and the cathode 102 is in a steady state (step S204). Whether or not the discharge is in a steady state may be determined based on a steady reference value in addition to the multiple lamp voltage values ​​and the change rate threshold value, as in the first embodiment.

[0068] If it is determined that the discharge is in a steady state, the deterioration determination unit 232 determines two representative values ​​from the multiple lamp voltage values ​​stored in the process of step S203 (step S205). At this time, the deterioration determination unit 232 stops recording the lamp voltage values.

[0069] In this embodiment, one of the two representative values ​​is the lamp voltage value stored at or near the time when the above-mentioned specified time has elapsed since the occurrence of the breakdown, among the plurality of lamp voltage values ​​stored in the process of step S203. The other of the two representative values ​​is the lamp voltage value when the discharge state in the discharge lamp 100 is in a steady state, among the plurality of lamp voltage values ​​stored in the process of step S203.

[0070] Next, the calculation unit 234 calculates the difference value of the lamp voltage before and after the end of the monitoring period based on the two determined representative values ​​(step S206). As described above, the fourth judgment value is the difference value of the lamp voltage corresponding to an unused lamp, and the fifth judgment value is the difference value of the lamp voltage corresponding to a lamp with a lifespan. Also, as described above, the lamp voltage value of the discharge lamp 100 increases as the cumulative lighting time increases. In other words, the lamp voltage difference value of the discharge lamp 100 increases as the cumulative lighting time increases.

[0071] Therefore, when the difference value of the lamp voltage of the discharge lamp 100 is within the range of not less than the fourth judgment value and not more than the fifth judgment value, it is considered that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp 100 has not reached a level that requires replacement. In this embodiment, the range of the difference value that is not less than the fourth judgment value and not more than the fifth judgment value is called the allowable range. On the other hand, when the difference value is outside the allowable range, it is considered that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp 100 has reached a level that requires replacement.

[0072] Therefore, after the process of step S206, the deterioration determination unit 232 determines whether the calculated difference value is within the allowable range (step S207). If the difference value is not within the allowable range, the drive control unit 231 controls the lamp drive unit 210 to turn off the discharge lamp 100 (step S211).

[0073] If the difference value is within the allowable range in step S207, or after the process of step S211, the deterioration determination unit 232 determines whether the difference value is closest to the fifth determination value among the fourth to sixth determination values ​​(step S208).

[0074] As described above, the fifth judgment value is the difference value of the lamp voltage corresponding to the lamp with an end of life. Therefore, when the difference value is closest to the fifth judgment value, the signal output unit 233 provides the notification unit 260 with a notification signal indicating that the discharge lamp 100 needs to be replaced (step S212).

[0075] In step S208, the deterioration determination unit 232 may determine whether the difference value is within a predetermined range including a fifth determination value. The predetermined range including the fifth determination value is smaller than half the allowable range determined for the lamp voltage difference value. In this case, when the difference value is within the predetermined range including the fifth determination value, the signal output unit 233 provides the notification unit 260 with a notification signal indicating that the discharge lamp 100 needs to be replaced. This causes the notification unit 260 to present a notification to the user via a display device or an audio output device indicating that the discharge lamp 100 needs to be replaced.

[0076] If the difference value is not closest to the fifth judgment value in step S208, or after the processing of step S212, the deterioration judgment unit 232 judges whether the difference value is closest to the sixth judgment value among the fourth to sixth judgment values ​​(step S209).

[0077] As described above, the sixth judgment value is the difference value of the lamp voltage corresponding to the deteriorated lamp. Therefore, when the difference value is closest to the sixth judgment value, the signal output unit 233 provides the notification unit 260 with a notification signal indicating that the discharge lamp 100 is far past its replacement time (step S213).

[0078] When determining in step S208 whether the difference value is within a predetermined range including the fifth judgment value, the deterioration determination unit 232 may determine in step S209 whether the difference value is within another range including a sixth judgment value. In this case, the other range including the sixth judgment value is a range that does not overlap with either the above-mentioned allowable range or the predetermined range including the sixth judgment value. When the difference value is within the other range including the sixth judgment value, the signal output unit 233 provides the notification unit 260 with a notification signal indicating that the discharge lamp 100 is well past its replacement date. This causes the notification unit 260 to present a notification indicating that the discharge lamp 100 is well past its replacement date to the user via a display device or audio output device.

[0079] If the difference value is not closest to the sixth judgment value in step S209, or after the processing of step S213, the lamp lighting processing ends. In the lamp lighting processing described above, the processing of steps S207 and S211 may be performed after the processing of either step S208 or S212, or after the processing of either step S209 or S213. Furthermore, the processing of steps S207 and S211 may not be performed.

[0080] In the lamp lighting process described above, steps S208 and S212 may be performed before steps S207 and S211, or after steps S209 and S213. In addition, steps S208 and S212 may not be performed.

[0081] In the lamp lighting process described above, steps S209 and S213 may be performed before steps S207 and S211, or before steps S208 and S212. In addition, steps S209 and S213 do not necessarily have to be performed.

[0082] In the lamp lighting device 200 described above, a difference value is calculated based on the lamp voltage detected during a monitoring period and the lamp voltage detected when the discharge state in the discharge lamp 100 is in a steady state. Furthermore, the deterioration state of the discharge lamp 100 is determined based on the calculated difference value. The lamp voltage difference value is acquired based on changes over time in the characteristics of the discharge lamp 100 that are the subject of calculation of the difference value. As a result, the method of determining the deterioration state based on the difference value makes it less likely that errors will occur in the determination result due to individual differences in the characteristics of the discharge lamp 100. In other words, the accuracy of determining the deterioration of the discharge lamp 100 is improved. As a result, the user can more appropriately determine whether the discharge lamp 100 needs to be replaced using the fluorescence detector.

[0083] 3. Third Embodiment A lamp lighting device 200 according to the third embodiment will be described below in terms of differences from the lamp lighting device 200 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of lamp lighting device 200 according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, in lamp lighting device 200 according to this embodiment, control device 230 further includes, as functional units, lighting time accumulator 235 and lighting counter 236 in addition to drive control unit 231, deterioration determination unit 232, and signal output unit 233. Lighting time accumulator 235 and lighting counter 236, like the other functional units, are realized by the CPU of control device 230 executing a lamp lighting program stored in memory. Note that part or all of lighting time accumulator 235 and lighting counter 236 may be realized by hardware such as electronic circuits.

[0084] 7, when issuing a command to turn on the discharge lamp 100, the user operates the operating device 240 and sends the command to the control device 230. When issuing a command to turn off the discharge lamp 100, the user operates the operating device 240 and sends the command to the control device 230. When replacing the discharge lamp 100 to be turned on, the user operates the operating device 240 and sends a replacement signal to the control device 230, indicating that an unused lamp has been installed.

[0085] The lighting time accumulating unit 235 accumulates the lighting time of the discharge lamp 100 based on a lighting command and a lighting-out command given from the operating device 240. Furthermore, when receiving a replacement signal given from the operating device 240, the lighting time accumulating unit 235 resets the accumulated value of the lighting time (accumulated lighting time).

[0086] The lighting counter 236 counts the number of times the discharge lamp 100 is turned on based on a lighting command and a lighting-out command given from the operating device 240. Furthermore, when the lighting counter 236 receives a replacement signal given from the operating device 240, it resets the counted value (number of times the discharge lamp 100 is turned on).

[0087] In addition to the first judgment value, second judgment value, third judgment value, and change rate threshold value according to the first embodiment, the storage device 250 according to the present embodiment also stores the guaranteed time and the guaranteed number of times. As a result, when the accumulated lighting time (accumulated lighting time) reaches the guaranteed time, the lighting time accumulation unit 235 provides the signal output unit 233 with a signal indicating that the accumulated lighting time has reached the guaranteed time. Furthermore, when the counted number of times (number of times lighting) reaches the guaranteed number, the lighting counter 236 provides the signal output unit 233 with a signal indicating that the number of times lighting has reached the guaranteed number.

[0088] When the signal output unit 233 receives at least one of a signal indicating that the accumulated lighting time has reached the guaranteed time and a signal indicating that the number of times the lamp has been lit has reached the guaranteed number, it provides a notification signal indicating that the discharge lamp 100 needs to be replaced to the notification unit 260. As a result, a notification indicating that the discharge lamp 100 needs to be replaced is presented to the user via a display device or an audio output device.

[0089] In this embodiment, the deterioration state of the discharge lamp 100 is determined based on the accumulated lighting time and the number of lighting times of the discharge lamp 100 in addition to the lamp voltage of the discharge lamp 100. Therefore, the reliability of the deterioration determination of the discharge lamp 100 is improved.

[0090] 4. Fourth Embodiment Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a fluorescence detector according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in Fig. 8, a fluorescence detector 300 according to this embodiment includes a discharge lamp 100, a lamp lighting device 200 according to any one of the first to third embodiments, an optical system 310, a flow cell 320, a light receiving section 330, and a control device 340.

[0091] In the fluorescence detector 300, a discharge lamp 100 that is off is switched to a lit state by a lamp lighting device 200, causing the discharge lamp 100 to emit light of a specific wavelength. The light emitted from the discharge lamp 100 is guided as excitation light to a flow cell 320 by an optical system 310. A mobile phase and a sample supplied from, for example, an analytical column (separation column) of a liquid chromatograph flow through the flow cell 320. When the sample flowing through the flow cell 320 is irradiated with excitation light, fluorescence is generated from the sample. The fluorescence generated from the sample is guided to a light receiving unit 330. The light receiving unit 330 includes, for example, a photodiode, and detects the intensity of the incident fluorescence. The intensity of light detected by the light receiving unit 330 is equivalent to the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 330.

[0092] The control device 340 is composed of, for example, a CPU and a memory, and mainly controls the operations of the lamp lighting device 200 and the light receiving unit 330. The control device 340 controls the lamp lighting device 200 based on the operation of an operation unit (not shown) by the user, thereby turning on or off the discharge lamp 100. The operation device 240 also stores or outputs the intensity of the fluorescence output from the light receiving unit 330 as a detection result.

[0093] As described above, the fluorescence detector 300 according to this embodiment includes the lamp lighting device 200 according to any one of the first to third embodiments. The lamp lighting device 200 described above makes it possible to appropriately determine whether or not the discharge lamp 100 in the fluorescence detector 300 needs to be replaced. Therefore, the discharge lamp 100 can be appropriately replaced, and a decrease in the detection accuracy of fluorescence due to the continued use of a deteriorated discharge lamp 100 is suppressed.

[0094] 5. Fifth Embodiment Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a liquid chromatograph according to the fifth embodiment. As shown in Fig. 9, the liquid chromatograph 1 according to this embodiment includes a mobile phase pump 2, a sample introduction section 3, an introduction port 4, an analytical column 5, a column oven 6, and a fluorescence detector 300 according to the fourth embodiment. The analytical column 5 is provided in the column oven 6. The column oven 6 maintains the analytical column 5 at a set temperature.

[0095] Pump 2 draws in the mobile phase (eluent) in mobile phase container 21 and supplies it to analytical column 5. Sample introduction section 3 includes, for example, an autosampler or an injector, and introduces the sample to be analyzed into the mobile phase at introduction port 4. The mobile phase and sample that have passed through analytical column 5 flow through flow cell 320 (see FIG. 8) of fluorescence detector 300 and are discharged into waste container 22.

[0096] The liquid chromatograph 1 includes an analysis control unit 10, an operation unit 11, and a display unit 12. The operation unit 11 is used by a user to give various commands to the analysis control unit 10. The analysis control unit 10 controls the pump 2, the sample introduction unit 3, the column oven 6, and the fluorescence detector 300. The analysis control unit 10 also generates a chromatogram based on the output signal of the fluorescence detector 300. The generated chromatogram is displayed on the display unit 12.

[0097] The fluorescence detector 300 according to the fourth embodiment suppresses a decrease in the accuracy of detecting fluorescence caused by the continued use of a deteriorated discharge lamp 100. Therefore, a decrease in the accuracy of detecting a sample in the liquid chromatograph 1 caused by the discharge lamp 100 is suppressed.

[0098] 6. Other Embodiments (a) In the lamp lighting device 200 according to the first and second embodiments, a change rate threshold is stored in the memory device 250. Furthermore, based on the stored change rate threshold, it is determined whether or not the discharge between the anode 101 and the cathode 102 is in a steady state. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead of the change rate threshold, the memory device 250 may store the steady-state determination time and steady-state determination range described above.

[0099] In this case, in step S104 of Fig. 4 and step S204 of Fig. 6, the deterioration determination unit 232 may determine whether the discharge between the anode 101 and the cathode 102 is in a steady state based on the sequentially stored multiple lamp voltage values, the steady state determination time, and the steady state determination range. Specifically, the deterioration determination unit 232 may determine that the discharge is not in a steady state when the sequentially stored multiple lamp voltage values ​​are not within the steady state determination range for a continuous steady state determination time. On the other hand, the deterioration determination unit 232 may determine that the discharge is in a steady state when the sequentially stored multiple lamp voltage values ​​are within the steady state determination range for a continuous steady state determination time.

[0100] (b) The first judgment value is calculated by lighting each of a plurality of unused lamps and averaging the lamp voltages detected for each of the unused lamps after a specified time has elapsed since the start of discharge, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0101] The first determination value may be calculated as follows. For example, for each of a plurality of unused lamps in the sample, multiple lamp voltages are detected at multiple predetermined times or periods during a monitoring period, and the average of the detected lamp voltages is calculated as the detection average value. The first determination value is then calculated by averaging the multiple detection average values ​​calculated for each of the unused lamps. When the first determination value is calculated according to this example, the second and third determination values ​​are also calculated in the same manner as the first determination value.

[0102] Furthermore, when the first, second, and third determination values ​​are calculated according to this example, the representative value is determined in the lamp lighting process, for example, as follows: In step S105 of FIG. 4, the deterioration determination unit 232 extracts multiple lamp voltages detected at multiple predetermined times or during multiple predetermined periods during the monitoring period from the multiple lamp voltage values ​​stored by the process of step S103. The deterioration determination unit 232 also determines the average value of the extracted multiple lamp voltages as the representative value. Note that the median value of the extracted multiple lamp voltages may also be determined as the representative value.

[0103] (c) The fourth determination value is calculated by calculating a difference between the lamp voltages detected for each of the unused lamps at two points in time, one before and one after the end of the monitoring period, and averaging the calculated difference values ​​for the unused lamps. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0104] The fourth judgment value may be calculated as follows. For example, for each of a plurality of unused lamps in the sample, multiple lamp voltages are detected at multiple predetermined times or periods before the end of the monitoring period, and the average of the detected lamp voltages is calculated as the first detection average value. Also, for each of a plurality of unused lamps, multiple lamp voltages are detected at multiple predetermined times or periods after the end of the monitoring period, and the average of the detected lamp voltages is calculated as the second detection average value. Then, a difference between the first and second detection average values ​​calculated for each of the unused lamps is calculated. Finally, the fourth judgment value is calculated by averaging the multiple difference values ​​calculated for each of the life-expired lamps. When the fourth judgment value is calculated according to this example, the fifth and sixth judgment values ​​are also calculated in the same manner as the fourth judgment value.

[0105] Furthermore, when the fourth, fifth, and sixth judgment values ​​are calculated according to this example, two representative values ​​are determined in the lamp lighting process, for example, as follows: In step S205 of FIG. 6, the deterioration judgment unit 232 extracts multiple lamp voltages detected at multiple predetermined times or during multiple predetermined periods during the monitoring period from the multiple lamp voltage values ​​stored by the process of step S203. The deterioration judgment unit 232 also determines the average value of the extracted multiple lamp voltages as one representative value. Note that the median value of the extracted multiple lamp voltages may also be determined as one representative value.

[0106] Furthermore, the deterioration determination unit 232 extracts, from the plurality of lamp voltage values ​​stored by the processing of step S203, a plurality of lamp voltages detected at a plurality of predetermined time points or during a plurality of predetermined periods after the end of the monitoring period. Furthermore, the deterioration determination unit 232 determines the average value of the extracted plurality of lamp voltages as the other representative value. Note that the median value of the extracted plurality of lamp voltages may also be determined as the other representative value.

[0107] (d) The first to sixth judgment values ​​may be determined taking into consideration noise components contained in the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit 220. For example, the first to sixth judgment values ​​may be determined to be values ​​calculated by lighting a plurality of sample discharge lamps using the method described in the first and second embodiments, to which a predetermined value has been added or subtracted.

[0108] (e) In the fifth embodiment, a liquid chromatograph 1 is described as an example of a chromatograph according to the present invention, but the chromatograph according to the present invention may be another chromatograph such as a supercritical fluid chromatograph.

[0109] (f) In the lamp lighting devices 200 according to the first to fifth embodiments, the deterioration determination unit 232 may determine the deterioration state of the discharge lamp 100 based on, for example, whether or not the length of the monitoring period has exceeded a predetermined time. Specifically, the deterioration determination unit 232 may determine that the discharge lamp 100 has deteriorated when the length of the monitoring period has exceeded a predetermined time. Alternatively, the deterioration determination unit 232 may determine that the discharge lamp 100 has not deteriorated when the length of the monitoring period has not exceeded a predetermined time.

[0110] (g) In the lamp lighting devices 200 according to the first to fifth embodiments, the deterioration determination unit 232 may determine the deterioration state of the discharge lamp 100 based on whether the rate of change of the lamp voltage during the monitoring period (the absolute value of the amount of change per unit time) is lower than a predetermined rate of change. Specifically, the deterioration determination unit 232 may determine that the discharge lamp 100 is deteriorated when the rate of change of the lamp voltage during the monitoring period is lower than a predetermined rate of change. Alternatively, the deterioration determination unit 232 may determine that the discharge lamp 100 is not deteriorated when the rate of change of the lamp voltage during the monitoring period is equal to or higher than the predetermined rate of change.

[0111] 6. Correspondence between each element of the claims and each part of the embodiment Below, examples of correspondence between each element of the claims and each element of the embodiments will be described, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples. Various other elements having the configuration or function described in the claims can also be used as each element of the claims.

[0112] In the above embodiment, the fluorescence detector 300 is an example of a fluorescence detector and a detector, the discharge lamp 100 is an example of a light source and a discharge lamp, the first determination value is an example of a first value, the second determination value is an example of a second value, and the third determination value is an example of a third value.

[0113] Furthermore, the memory device 250 is an example of a memory unit, the range of deterioration of the discharge lamp 100 that is considered to be at the ideal time for replacement is an example of a first range, the life lamp is an example of a sample discharge lamp that satisfies the first deterioration condition, the range of deterioration of the discharge lamp 100 that has exceeded the ideal time for replacement is an example of a second range, the deteriorated lamp is an example of a sample discharge lamp that satisfies the second deterioration condition, the fourth judgment value is an example of a fourth value, the fifth judgment value is an example of a fifth value, the sixth judgment value is an example of a sixth value, and the analytical column 5 is an example of a separation column.

[0114] 7. Aspects The present inventors have repeatedly conducted various experiments and conducted various studies in order to appropriately determine whether or not a discharge lamp provided as a light source in a fluorescence detector needs to be replaced. The inventors have discovered that the waveform of the lamp voltage during the period from when a discharge lamp is turned on due to dielectric breakdown, which is in an off state, until the discharge between the anode and the cathode reaches a steady state, changes depending on the cumulative lighting time of the discharge lamp. Based on this finding, the inventors have devised the following configuration. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the above-described exemplary embodiments are specific examples of the following aspects:

[0115] (Item 1) A lamp lighting device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: A lamp lighting device for a discharge lamp provided as a light source in a fluorescence detector, comprising: The discharge lamp has a configuration in which an anode and a cathode are arranged opposite each other within a discharge vessel, The lamp lighting device a lamp driving unit that drives the discharge lamp; a lamp voltage detection unit that detects a voltage between the anode and the cathode as a lamp voltage during a monitoring period until a discharge state between the anode and the cathode reaches a predetermined steady state after the discharge lamp, which has been turned off by the driving of the lamp driving unit, is turned on due to a dielectric breakdown between the anode and the cathode; The lamp includes a deterioration determining section that determines the deterioration state of the discharge lamp based on the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detecting section.

[0116] In the lamp lighting device described in paragraph 1, the deterioration state of the discharge lamp is determined based on the lamp voltage detected during the monitoring period. In this case, it becomes possible to determine whether the discharge lamp can operate under guaranteed conditions. As a result, it becomes possible to appropriately determine whether the discharge lamp needs to be replaced in the fluorescence detector.

[0117] (Item 2) In the lamp lighting device described in item 1, The steady state may be a discharge state when the absolute value of the change in the lamp voltage per unit time is equal to or less than a predetermined change rate threshold, or when the lamp voltage is continuously within a predetermined steady state judgment range for a predetermined steady state judgment time.

[0118] In this case, the monitoring period is the period from when the discharge lamp is lit due to a breakdown to when the absolute value of the amount of change per unit time of the lamp voltage becomes equal to or less than the change rate threshold, or the monitoring period is the period from when the discharge lamp is lit due to a breakdown to when the lamp voltage remains within a predetermined steady-state determination range for the steady-state determination time.

[0119] (Item 3) The lamp lighting device according to item 1 or 2, a storage unit that stores a first value and a second value that is greater than the first value; a drive control unit that controls the operation of the lamp drive unit, the first value is a value corresponding to a lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit by lighting an unused sample discharge lamp before the fluorescence is detected by the fluorescence detector; the second value corresponds to a lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit by lighting a sample discharge lamp that satisfies a first deterioration condition, which indicates that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is within a predetermined first range, before the fluorescence is detected by the fluorescence detector; The deterioration determination unit may determine that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp has not reached a level requiring replacement when the value of the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit is greater than or equal to a first value and less than or equal to a second value when the fluorescence detector detects fluorescence.

[0120] (4) In the lamp lighting device according to the third aspect, The drive control unit when the fluorescent light is detected by the fluorescent detector, if the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit is equal to or greater than a first value and equal to or less than a second value, allowing the lamp drive unit to light the discharge lamp; When the fluorescence detector detects fluorescence, if the value of the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit is not equal to or greater than the first value and equal to or less than the second value, the lamp driving unit may stop lighting the discharge lamp.

[0121] In this case, damage to the discharge lamp due to continued use of the discharge lamp that satisfies the first deterioration condition is prevented.

[0122] (Item 5) The lamp lighting device according to item 4, a signal output unit that outputs a notification signal regarding deterioration of the discharge lamp; the storage unit further stores a third value greater than the second value; the third value is a value corresponding to the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit by lighting a sample discharge lamp that satisfies a second deterioration condition indicating that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is within a second range that is larger than the first range, before the fluorescence is detected by the fluorescence detector; the deterioration determination unit determines, when the fluorescence detector detects the fluorescence, which of the first value, the second value, and the third value the lamp voltage value detected by the lamp voltage detection unit is closest to; The signal output unit is outputting a notification signal indicating that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is within a first range when the value of the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit is closest to a second value; When the value of the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detector is closest to the third value, a notification signal indicating that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is within the second range may be output.

[0123] In this case, the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is presented to the user, so that the user can easily and appropriately grasp whether or not the discharge lamp needs to be replaced.

[0124] (Item 6) The lamp lighting device according to item 1 or 2, a storage unit that stores a first value, a second value greater than the first value, and a third value greater than the second value; a signal output unit that outputs a notification signal regarding deterioration of the discharge lamp; the first value is a value corresponding to a lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit by lighting an unused sample discharge lamp before the fluorescence is detected by the fluorescence detector; the second value corresponds to a lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit by lighting a sample discharge lamp that satisfies a first deterioration condition, which indicates that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is within a predetermined first range, before the fluorescence is detected by the fluorescence detector; the third value is a value corresponding to the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit by lighting a sample discharge lamp that satisfies a second deterioration condition indicating that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is within a second range that is larger than the first range, before the fluorescence is detected by the fluorescence detector; the deterioration determination unit determines, when the fluorescence detector detects the fluorescence, which of the first value, the second value, and the third value the lamp voltage value detected by the lamp voltage detection unit is closest to; The signal output unit is outputting a notification signal indicating that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is within a first range when the value of the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit is closest to a second value; When the value of the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detector is closest to the third value, a notification signal indicating that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is within the second range may be output.

[0125] In this case, the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is presented to the user, so that the user can easily and appropriately grasp whether or not the discharge lamp needs to be replaced.

[0126] (7) The lamp lighting device according to the first or second paragraph, a storage unit that stores a fourth value and a fifth value that is greater than the fourth value; a calculation unit that performs calculations related to the lamp voltage; a drive control unit that controls the operation of the lamp drive unit, the lamp voltage detection unit further detects the lamp voltage when the discharge state is in a steady state; the calculation unit calculates, as a lamp differential value, a difference value between the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit during the monitoring period and the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit when the discharge state is in a steady state; the fourth value is a value corresponding to a lamp difference value calculated by the calculation unit by lighting an unused sample discharge lamp before the fluorescence is detected by the fluorescence detector, the fifth value corresponds to a lamp difference value calculated by the calculation unit by lighting a sample discharge lamp that satisfies a first deterioration condition, which indicates that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is within a predetermined first range, before the fluorescence is detected by the fluorescence detector; the deterioration determination unit determines whether or not the lamp difference value calculated by the calculation unit is equal to or greater than a fourth value and equal to or less than a fifth value when the fluorescence detector detects the fluorescence; The drive control unit when the fluorescence detector detects the fluorescence, if the lamp difference value calculated by the calculation unit is equal to or greater than a fourth value and equal to or less than a fifth value, allowing the lamp driving unit to light the discharge lamp; When the fluorescence detector detects fluorescence, if the lamp difference value calculated by the calculation unit is not equal to or greater than the fourth value and not equal to or less than the fifth value, the lamp driving unit may stop lighting the discharge lamp.

[0127] In this case, damage to the discharge lamp due to continued use of the discharge lamp that satisfies the first deterioration condition is prevented.

[0128] (Item 8) The lamp lighting device according to item 7, a signal output unit that outputs a notification signal regarding deterioration of the discharge lamp; the storage unit further stores a sixth value greater than the fifth value; the sixth value corresponds to a lamp difference value calculated by the calculation unit by lighting a sample discharge lamp that satisfies a second deterioration condition, which indicates that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is within a second range that is larger than the first range, before the fluorescence is detected by the fluorescence detector; the deterioration determination unit determines, when the fluorescence detector detects fluorescence, which of the fourth value, the fifth value, and the sixth value the lamp difference value calculated by the calculation unit is closest to; The signal output unit is outputting a notification signal indicating that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is within a first range when the lamp difference value calculated by the calculation unit is closest to a fifth value; When the lamp difference value calculated by the calculation unit is closest to the sixth value, a notification signal indicating that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is within the second range may be output.

[0129] In this case, the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is presented to the user, so that the user can easily and appropriately grasp whether or not the discharge lamp needs to be replaced.

[0130] (Item 9) The lamp lighting device according to item 1 or 2, a storage unit that stores a fourth value, a fifth value greater than the fourth value, and a sixth value greater than the fifth value; a calculation unit that performs calculations related to the lamp voltage; a signal output unit that outputs a notification signal regarding deterioration of the discharge lamp; the lamp voltage detection unit further detects the lamp voltage when the discharge state is in a steady state; the calculation unit calculates, as a lamp differential value, a difference value between the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit during the monitoring period and the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit when the discharge state is in a steady state; the fourth value is a value corresponding to a lamp difference value calculated by the calculation unit by lighting an unused sample discharge lamp before the fluorescence is detected by the fluorescence detector, the fifth value corresponds to a lamp difference value calculated by the calculation unit by lighting a sample discharge lamp that satisfies a first deterioration condition, which indicates that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is within a predetermined first range, before the fluorescence is detected by the fluorescence detector; the sixth value corresponds to a lamp difference value calculated by the calculation unit by lighting a sample discharge lamp that satisfies a second deterioration condition, which indicates that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is within a second range that is larger than the first range, before the fluorescence is detected by the fluorescence detector; the deterioration determination unit determines, when the fluorescence detector detects fluorescence, which of the fourth value, the fifth value, and the sixth value the lamp difference value calculated by the calculation unit is closest to; The signal output unit is outputting a notification signal indicating that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is within a first range when the lamp difference value calculated by the calculation unit is closest to a fifth value; When the lamp difference value calculated by the calculation unit is closest to the sixth value, a notification signal indicating that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is within the second range may be output.

[0131] In this case, the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is presented to the user, so that the user can easily and appropriately grasp whether or not the discharge lamp needs to be replaced.

[0132] (Item 10) A fluorescence detector according to another aspect comprises: A lamp lighting device according to any one of items 1 to 9, an optical system that guides light generated from the lamp lighting device to the sample as excitation light; The light receiving unit may also include a light receiving section that receives fluorescence emitted from the sample and detects the intensity of the fluorescence.

[0133] According to the lamp lighting device of any one of paragraphs 1 to 9, it becomes possible to appropriately determine whether or not replacement of the discharge lamp in the fluorescence detector is necessary. Therefore, since the discharge lamp can be appropriately replaced, a decrease in the detection accuracy of fluorescence due to the continued use of a deteriorated discharge lamp is suppressed.

[0134] (Item 11) A chromatograph according to another embodiment comprises: a sample introduction section for introducing a sample into an analysis flow path through which a mobile phase flows; a separation column that separates the sample introduced into the analysis flow path by the sample introduction section into each component; a detector for detecting the sample components separated by the separation column; The detector may include a fluorescence detector as described in paragraph 10.

[0135] The fluorescence detector described in paragraph 9 prevents a decrease in the accuracy of fluorescence detection due to the continued use of a deteriorated discharge lamp, thereby preventing a decrease in the accuracy of sample detection in a chromatograph due to the discharge lamp.

Claims

1. A lamp lighting device for a discharge lamp provided as a light source in a fluorescence detector, comprising: The discharge lamp has a configuration in which an anode and a cathode are arranged opposite each other within a discharge vessel, The lamp lighting device includes: a lamp driving unit that drives the discharge lamp; a lamp voltage detection unit that detects a voltage between the anode and the cathode as a lamp voltage during a monitoring period until a discharge state between the anode and the cathode reaches a predetermined steady state after the discharge lamp, which has been turned off by the drive of the lamp drive unit, is turned on due to a dielectric breakdown between the anode and the cathode; a deterioration determining unit that determines a deterioration state of the discharge lamp based on the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detecting unit.

2. 2. The lamp lighting device of claim 1, wherein the steady state is a discharge state when the absolute value of the change in the lamp voltage per unit time is equal to or less than a predetermined change rate threshold, or when the lamp voltage is continuously within a predetermined steady state determination range for a predetermined steady state determination time.

3. a storage unit that stores a first value and a second value that is greater than the first value; A drive control unit that controls the operation of the lamp drive unit is further provided. the first value is a value corresponding to a lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit by lighting an unused sample discharge lamp before the fluorescence is detected by the fluorescence detector, the second value is a value corresponding to a lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit by lighting a sample discharge lamp that satisfies a first deterioration condition indicating that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is within a predetermined first range before the fluorescence is detected by the fluorescence detector, 2. The lamp lighting device of claim 1, wherein the deterioration determination unit determines that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp has not reached a level requiring replacement when the value of the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit is greater than the first value and less than the second value when the fluorescence detector detects fluorescence.

4. The drive control unit when the fluorescent light is detected by the fluorescent detector, if the value of the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit is equal to or greater than the first value and equal to or less than the second value, allowing the lamp drive unit to perform a lighting operation of the discharge lamp; 4. A lamp lighting device as described in claim 3, wherein when the fluorescence detector detects fluorescence, if the value of the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit is not equal to or greater than the first value and equal to or less than the second value, the lamp driving unit stops the lighting operation of the discharge lamp.

5. a signal output unit that outputs a notification signal regarding deterioration of the discharge lamp; the storage unit further stores a third value greater than the second value; the third value is a value corresponding to a lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit by lighting a sample discharge lamp that satisfies a second deterioration condition indicating that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is within a second range that is larger than the first range, before the fluorescence is detected by the fluorescence detector; the deterioration determination unit determines, when the fluorescence detector detects the fluorescence, which of the first value, the second value, and the third value the value of the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit is closest to; The signal output unit outputting a notification signal indicating that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is within the first range when the value of the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit is closest to the second value; 5. A lamp lighting device as claimed in claim 4, wherein when the value of the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit is closest to the third value, a notification signal is output indicating that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is within the second range.

6. a storage unit that stores a first value, a second value that is greater than the first value, and a third value that is greater than the second value; a signal output unit that outputs a notification signal related to deterioration of the discharge lamp; the first value is a value corresponding to a lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit by lighting an unused sample discharge lamp before the fluorescence is detected by the fluorescence detector, the second value is a value corresponding to a lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit by lighting a sample discharge lamp that satisfies a first deterioration condition indicating that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is within a predetermined first range before the fluorescence is detected by the fluorescence detector, the third value is a value corresponding to a lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit by lighting a sample discharge lamp that satisfies a second deterioration condition indicating that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is within a second range that is larger than the first range, before the fluorescence is detected by the fluorescence detector; the deterioration determination unit determines, when the fluorescence detector detects the fluorescence, which of the first value, the second value, and the third value the value of the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit is closest to; The signal output unit outputting a notification signal indicating that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is within the first range when the value of the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit is closest to the second value; 2. The lamp lighting device according to claim 1, wherein when the value of the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit is closest to the third value, a notification signal indicating that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is within the second range is output.

7. a storage unit that stores a fourth value and a fifth value that is greater than the fourth value; a calculation unit that performs calculations related to the lamp voltage; A drive control unit that controls the operation of the lamp drive unit is further provided. the lamp voltage detection unit further detects a lamp voltage when the discharge state is in the steady state, the calculation unit calculates, as a lamp difference value, a difference value between the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit during the monitoring period and the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit when the discharge state is in the steady state; the fourth value is a value corresponding to a lamp difference value calculated by the calculation unit by lighting an unused sample discharge lamp before the fluorescence is detected by the fluorescence detector, the fifth value corresponds to a lamp difference value calculated by the calculation unit by lighting a sample discharge lamp that satisfies a first deterioration condition indicating that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is within a predetermined first range before the fluorescence is detected by the fluorescence detector, the deterioration determination unit determines whether or not the lamp difference value calculated by the calculation unit is equal to or greater than the fourth value and equal to or less than the fifth value when the fluorescence detector detects the fluorescence; The drive control unit when the fluorescent light detector detects the fluorescent light, if the lamp difference value calculated by the calculation unit is equal to or greater than the fourth value and equal to or less than the fifth value, allowing the lamp driving unit to light the discharge lamp; 2. The lamp lighting device of claim 1, wherein when the fluorescence detector detects fluorescence, if the lamp difference value calculated by the calculation unit is not greater than the fourth value and less than the fifth value, the lamp driving unit stops the lighting operation of the discharge lamp.

8. a signal output unit that outputs a notification signal regarding deterioration of the discharge lamp; the storage unit further stores a sixth value greater than the fifth value; the sixth value is a value corresponding to a lamp difference value calculated by the calculation unit by lighting a sample discharge lamp that satisfies a second deterioration condition indicating that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is within a second range that is larger than the first range before the fluorescence is detected by the fluorescence detector, the deterioration determination unit determines, when the fluorescence detector detects fluorescence, which of the fourth value, the fifth value, and the sixth value the lamp difference value calculated by the calculation unit is closest to; The signal output unit outputting a notification signal indicating that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is within the first range when the lamp difference value calculated by the calculation unit is closest to the fifth value; 8. The lamp lighting device according to claim 7, wherein when the lamp difference value calculated by the calculation unit is closest to the sixth value, a notification signal indicating that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is within the second range is output.

9. a storage unit that stores a fourth value, a fifth value that is greater than the fourth value, and a sixth value that is greater than the fifth value; a calculation unit that performs calculations related to the lamp voltage; a signal output unit that outputs a notification signal related to deterioration of the discharge lamp; the lamp voltage detection unit further detects a lamp voltage when the discharge state is in the steady state, the calculation unit calculates, as a lamp difference value, a difference value between the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit during the monitoring period and the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detection unit when the discharge state is in the steady state; the fourth value is a value corresponding to a lamp difference value calculated by the calculation unit by lighting an unused sample discharge lamp before the fluorescence is detected by the fluorescence detector, the fifth value corresponds to a lamp difference value calculated by the calculation unit by lighting a sample discharge lamp that satisfies a first deterioration condition indicating that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is within a predetermined first range before the fluorescence is detected by the fluorescence detector, the sixth value is a value corresponding to a lamp difference value calculated by the calculation unit by lighting a sample discharge lamp that satisfies a second deterioration condition indicating that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is within a second range that is larger than the first range before the fluorescence is detected by the fluorescence detector, the deterioration determination unit determines, when the fluorescence detector detects fluorescence, which of the fourth value, the fifth value, and the sixth value the lamp difference value calculated by the calculation unit is closest to; The signal output unit outputting a notification signal indicating that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is within the first range when the lamp difference value calculated by the calculation unit is closest to the fifth value; 2. The lamp lighting device according to claim 1, wherein when the lamp difference value calculated by the calculation unit is closest to the sixth value, a notification signal indicating that the degree of deterioration of the discharge lamp is within the second range is output.

10. The lamp lighting device according to claim 1; an optical system that guides the light generated from the lamp lighting device to a sample as excitation light; a light receiving section that receives the fluorescence emitted from the sample and detects the intensity of the fluorescence.

11. a sample introduction section for introducing a sample into an analysis flow path through which a mobile phase flows; a separation column that separates the sample introduced into the analysis channel by the sample introduction section into each component; a detector for detecting sample components separated by the separation column; 11. A chromatograph wherein the detector comprises a fluorescence detector according to claim 10.

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