Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer Dimmer Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing atomic absorption spectrophotometers face challenges in equalizing light intensities from multiple sources without deteriorating signal-to-noise ratio, causing unstable light output and shortening lamp lifetime, especially when using a dimmer apparatus with stepwise transmissivity adjustments.
Innovation Solution
An atomic absorption spectrophotometer equipped with continuously variable dimmer means, memory for storing maximum light levels, computational means for calculating appropriate transmissivity, and setting means to adjust dimmer transmissivity for equalizing light sources, ensuring stable and efficient light output without affecting lamp longevity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the gain of the electric circuits corresponding to each lamp is adjusted to equalize the intensities of the electric signals, then the intensities of the electric signals are equalized, but the noise is increased and the signal-to-noise ratio is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by adjusting the transmissivity of dimmer means before the light beams reach the beam combiner and photoelectric detector. By pre-balancing the light intensities at the source side using dimmer apparatus with continuously variable transmissivity, the system avoids the need to amplify weak signals later, thereby preventing noise amplification while achieving signal equalization.
2Measurement precision
If the electric power provided to each lamp is adjusted to equalize the intensities of the electric signals, then the intensities of the electric signals are equalized, but the lamps might be forced to operate out of specifications, causing unstable light output and shortened lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dimmer means as an intermediary component between the light sources and the beam combiner. These dimmer apparatus act as mediators that adjust light intensity through transmissivity control rather than changing the electric power supplied to the lamps. This allows signal equalization while keeping the lamps operating within their specified parameters, ensuring stable light output and extended lamp lifetime.
3Ease of operation
If a dimmer apparatus with stepwise transmissivity adjustment is provided to equalize light amounts, then the transmissivity can be adjusted, but the amounts of light cannot be equalized for all lamps due to stepwise adjustment limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dimmer means with continuously variable transmissivity instead of stepwise adjustment mechanisms. This dynamic adjustment capability allows for precise control of light intensity from multiple sources, enabling accurate equalization of light amounts regardless of the number or type of lamps used. The continuous variability ensures that any light intensity mismatch can be compensated with sufficient precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration allows for accurate and efficient atomic absorption spectroscopic analysis by equalizing light intensities from multiple sources, maintaining a good signal-to-noise ratio and preventing unstable light output and lamp degradation.
Implementation Method 1
a beam combiner for combining a plurality of light beams emitted from the light sources
Implementation Method 2
the light enters a photoelectric detector to be converted into an electric signal proportional to the light intensity
Implementation Method 3
a light beam provided from the hollow cathode lamp
Implementation Method 4
a light beam provided from the deuterium lamp
Implementation Method 5
the light beam from the hollow cathode lamp is absorbed by the background and atoms to be analyzed
Data Source
AI summary
An atomic absorption spectrophotometer that memorizes the maximum amount of light of each light source when an transmissivity of each of a plurality of dimmers is largest; computes an appropriate transmissivity of each dimmer for equalizing the amounts of light of the plurality of light sources from the maximum amount of light of each of the light sources; and sets the dimmer's transmissivity to be the appropriate transmissivity.