Electrodeless Metal-Halide Lamps

The atomic spectra of high-melting point metals can be excited in electrodeless lamps if a volatile salt of the metal is introduced into the lamp together with a noble gas at a pressure of a few mm (Hg). The lamps are simply prepared from lengths of Pyrex or Vycor tubing, excited with microwaves and produce sharp spectral lines free from self-reversal. Lamps have been prepared which emit atomic spectra of Be Ti Fe Ni, Cu, Mo, and U.