Troubleshooting and Maintenance of AA Systems: Part 1 - Hollow Cathode Lamps

This Information Applies To: All Agilent AA systems: 55B, 240FS, 280FS, 240Z, 280Z

Issue:

Optimizing the position of the lamp maximizes amount of light from the lamp passing through the optics to the detector, improving the signal-to-noise and the instrument detection limit. 

Steps to follow:

1. Check the recommended current and wavelength for the lamp, and check the selections in the software. This information is recorded on the label near the base of the lamp.

2. On the Analysis page, select Optimize > OK. 

   Tip: Record the gain value the first time you optimize the lamp. Each time you optimize the lamp, the value should be close to the noted value. Track the gain value over time to monitor the performance of the lamp. A significant change in the gain can indicate that the lamp is reaching the end of its operational life.

3. Slowly rotate the lamp adjustment screws at the base of the lamp, while watching the lamp optimization bar and numerical display. Generally, only small adjustments will need to be made. Record the optimized gain value.

   
   
   

4. If the display goes off-scale, click Rescale and continue optimizing until the maximum value is obtained on the display.

5. If you have a flame instrument, and you enabled the background correction, you will see a second optimization bar for the deuterium background correction lamp. Simply rotate the deuterium lamp adjustment screws, located at the bottom left of the lamp compartment. Watch the optimization bar and numerical display and adjust the screws to achieve the maximum value. Only minor adjustments will normally be required. Full re-alignment of the deuterium lamp is usually required only when replacing the lamp.