ASTM E520-98(2003)

Standard Practice for Describing Photomultiplier Detectors in Emission and Absorption Spectrometry

SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers photomultiplier properties that are essential to their judicious selection and use of photomultipliers in emission and absorption spectrometry. Descriptions of these properties can be found in the following sections: SectionStructural Features4General4.1External Structure4.2Internal Structure4.3Electrical Properties5General5.1Optical-Electronic Characteristics of the Photocathode5.2Current Amplification5.3Signal Nature5.4Dark Current5.5Noise Nature5.6Photomultiplier as a Component in an Electrical Circuit5.7Precautions and Problems6General6.1Fatigue and Hysteresis Effects6.2Illumination of Photocathode6.3Gas Leakage6.4Recommendations on Important Selection Criteria7
1.2 Radiation in the frequency range common to analytical emission and absorption spectrometry is detected by photomultipliers presently to the exclusion of most other transducers. Detection limits, analytical sensitivity, and accuracy depend on the characteristics of these current-amplifying detectors as well as other factors in the system.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Jun-2003
• ICS: 17.180.30 - Optical measuring instruments
• Technical Committee: E01 - Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
• Drafting Committee: E01.20 - Fundamental Practices

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E520-98 - Standard Practice for Describing Photomultiplier Detectors in Emission and Absorption Spectrometry
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2003
• Replaced By: ASTM E520-08 - Standard Practice for Describing Photomultiplier Detectors in Emission and Absorption Spectrometry
• Effective Date: 01-May-2008
• Referred By: ASTM E1479-16 - Standard Practice for Describing and Specifying Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometers
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2003
• Referred By: ASTM E1832-08(2017) - Standard Practice for Describing and Specifying a Direct Current Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D4691-17 - Standard Practice for Measuring Elements in Water by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2003

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: E 520 – 98 (Reapproved 2003)
Standard Practice for
Describing Photomultiplier Detectors in Emission and
1
Absorption Spectrometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E520; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
2
1. Scope Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
1.1 This practice covers photomultiplier properties that are
3. Terminology
essential to their judicious selection and use of photomultipli-
3.1 Definitions—For terminology relating to detectors refer
ers in emission and absorption spectrometry. Descriptions of
to Terminology E135.
these properties can be found in the following sections:
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
Section
3.2.1 solar blind, n—photocathode of photomultiplier tube
Structural Features 4
General 4.1
does not respond to wavelengths on the high side.
External Structure 4.2
3.2.1.1 Discussion—In general, solar blind photomultiplier
Internal Structure 4.3
tubes used in optical emission spectroscopy transmit radiation
Electrical Properties 5
General 5.1
below about 300 nm and do not transmit wavelengths above
Optical-Electronic Characteristics of the Photocathode 5.2
300 nm.
Current Amplification 5.3
Signal Nature 5.4
4. Structural Features
Dark Current 5.5
Noise Nature 5.6
4.1 General—The external structure and dimensions, as
Photomultiplier as a Component in an Electrical Circuit 5.7
well as the internal structure and electrical properties, can be
Precautions and Problems 6
General 6.1
significant in the selection of a photomultiplier.
Fatigue and Hysteresis Effects 6.2
4.2 External Structure—The external structure consists of
Illumination of Photocathode 6.3
envelope configurations, window materials, electrical contacts
Gas Leakage 6.4
Recommendations on Important Selection Criteria 7
through the glass-wall envelopes, and exterior housing.
4.2.1 Envelope Configurations—Glass envelope shapes and
1.2 Radiation in the frequency range common to analytical
dimensions are available in an abundant variety. At present,
emissionandabsorptionspectrometryisdetectedbyphotomul-
two envelope configurations are common, the end-on (or
tipliers presently to the exclusion of most other transducers.
head-on) and side-on types (see Fig. 1).
Detectionlimits,analyticalsensitivity,andaccuracydependon
4.2.2 Window Materials—Various window materials, such
thecharacteristicsofthesecurrent-amplifyingdetectorsaswell
asglass,quartzandquartz-likematerials,sapphire,magnesium
as other factors in the system.
fluoride, and cleaved lithium fluoride, cover the ranges of
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
spectral transmission essential to efficient detection in spectro-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
metricapplications.Windowcrosssectionsfortheend-ontype
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
photomultipliers include plano-plano, plano-concave,
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
convexo-concave forms, and a hemispherical form for the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
collection of 2-p radians of light flux.
2. Referenced Documents
4.2.3 Electrical Connections—Standard pin bases, flying-
leads,orpottedpinbasesareavailabletofacilitatethelocation
2.1 ASTM Standards:
of a photomultiplier, or for the use of a photomultiplier at low
E135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for
temperatures. TFE-fluorocarbon receptacles for pin-base types
are recommended to minimize the current leakage between
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E01 onAnalytical pins.
ChemistryforMetals,Ores,andRelatedMaterialsandisthedirectresponsibilityof
Subcommittee E01.20 on Fundamental Practices.
Current edition approved June 10, 2003. Published July 2003. Originally
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approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 1998 as E520–98.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.05.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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E 520 – 98 (2003)
FIG. 2 Electrostatic Dynode Structures
FIG. 1 Envelope Configurations
4.2.4 Housing—The housing for a photomultiplier should multipliers (ruggedized) that are resistant to damage by me-
chanicalshockandstressareavailableforspecialapplications,
be “light tight.” Light leaks into a housing or monochromator
from fluorescent lamps are particularly bad noise sources such as geophysical uses or in mobile laboratories.
whichcanbereadilydetectedwithanoscilloscopeadjustedfor
5. Electrical Properties
twice the
...