ASTM E520-08

Standard Practice for Describing Photomultiplier Detectors in Emission and Absorption Spectrometry

ABSTRACT
This practice describes the photomultiplier properties that are essential to their judicious selection and use of in emission and absorption spectrometry. The properties covered here include structural features, electrical properties, and characteristics involved in precautions and problems. The structural features covered are envelope configurations, window materials, electrical connections, and housing for the external structure, and the photocathode, dynodes and anode, and rigidness of structural components for the internal structure. Electrical properties, on the other hand, incorporate the following: optical-electronic characteristics of the photocathode including spectral response; current amplification including gain per stage, overall gain, gain control (voltage-divider bridge), linearity of response, and anode saturation; signal nature; dark current including cathode size, internal aperture, and refrigeration effects; noise nature including additivity of noise power, signal-to-noise ratio, equivalent noise input; and photomultiplier properties as a component in an electrical circuit including output impedance, response time, and signal gating and integration possibilities. Finally, the characteristics involved in precautions and problems cover fatigue and hysteresis effects, illumination of photocathode, and gas leakage.
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:
  Section Structural Features4  General4.1  External Structure4.2  Internal Structure4.3 Electrical Properties5  General5.1  Optical-Electronic Characteristics of the Photocathode5.2  Current Amplification5.3  Signal Nature5.4  Dark Current5.5  Noise Nature5.6  Photomultiplier as a Component in an Electrical Circuit5.7 Precautions and Problems6  General6.1  Fatigue and Hysteresis Effects6.2  Illumination of Photocathode6.3  Gas Leakage6.4 Recommendations 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: 30-Apr-2008
• 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(2003) - 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: 01-May-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D4691-17 - Standard Practice for Measuring Elements in Water by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry
• Effective Date: 01-May-2008
• Referred By: ASTM E1832-08(2017) - Standard Practice for Describing and Specifying a Direct Current Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer
• Effective Date: 01-May-2008

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:E520 −08
StandardPractice 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 This practice covers photomultiplier properties that are 2.1 ASTM Standards:
essential to their judicious selection and use of photomultipli- E135Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for
ers in emission and absorption spectrometry. Descriptions of Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
these properties can be found in the following sections:
3. Terminology
Section
Structural Features 4 3.1 Definitions—For terminology relating to detectors refer
General 4.1
to Terminology E135.
External Structure 4.2
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
Internal Structure 4.3
Electrical Properties 5
3.2.1 solar blind, n—photocathode of photomultiplier tube
General 5.1
does not respond to wavelengths on the high side.
Optical-Electronic Characteristics of the Photocathode 5.2
3.2.1.1 Discussion—In general, solar blind photomultiplier
Current Amplification 5.3
Signal Nature 5.4
tubes used in atomic emission spectrometry transmit radiation
Dark Current 5.5
below about 300 nm and do not transmit wavelengths above
Noise Nature 5.6
300 nm.
Photomultiplier as a Component in an Electrical Circuit 5.7
Precautions and Problems 6
4. Structural Features
General 6.1
Fatigue and Hysteresis Effects 6.2
4.1 General—The external structure and dimensions, as
Illumination of Photocathode 6.3
Gas Leakage 6.4 well as the internal structure and electrical properties, can be
Recommendations on Important Selection Criteria 7
significant in the selection of a photomultiplier.
1.2 Radiation in the frequency range common to analytical
4.2 External Structure—The external structure consists of
emissionandabsorptionspectrometryisdetectedbyphotomul-
envelope configurations, window materials, electrical contacts
tipliers presently to the exclusion of most other transducers.
through the glass-wall envelopes, and exterior housing.
Detectionlimits,analyticalsensitivity,andaccuracydependon
4.2.1 Envelope Configurations—Glass envelope shapes and
thecharacteristicsofthesecurrent-amplifyingdetectorsaswell
dimensions are available in an abundant variety. At present,
as other factors in the system.
two envelope configurations are common, the end-on (or
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
head-on) and side-on types (see Fig. 1).
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.2.2 Window Materials—Various window materials, such
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
asglass,quartzandquartz-likematerials,sapphire,magnesium
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
fluoride, and cleaved lithium fluoride, cover the ranges of
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
spectral transmission essential to efficient detection in spectro-
metricapplications.Windowcrosssectionsfortheend-ontype
photomultipliers include plano-plano, plano-concave,
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E01 on Analytical
Chemistry for Metals, Ores and Related Materials and is the direct responsibility of
2
Subcommittee E01.20 on Fundamental Practices.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved May 1, 2008. Published May 2008. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as E520–98(2003). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/E0520-08. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E520−08
at a region where the electric field is directed away from the
surfaceandtowardthenextdynode.Sixoftheseconfigurations
are shown in Fig. 2. Ordinarily a photomultiplier uses from 4
dynodes to 16 dynodes. There are several different configura-
tions of anodes including multianodes and cross wire anodes
for position sensitivity.
4.3.3 Rigidness of Structural Components—The standard
structural components generally will not endure exceptional
mechanical shocks. However, specifically constructed photo-
multipliers (ruggedized) that are resistant to damage by me-
chanicalshockandstressareavailableforspecialapplications,
such as geophysical uses or in mobile laboratories.
5. Electrical Properties
5.
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:E520–98 (Reapproved 2003) Designation: E 520 – 08
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.
1. 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:
Section
Structural Features 4
General 4.1
External Structure 4.2
Internal Structure 4.3
Electrical Properties 5
General 5.1
Optical-Electronic Characteristics of the Photocathode 5.2
Current Amplification 5.3
Signal Nature 5.4
Dark Current 5.5
Noise Nature 5.6
Photomultiplier as a Component in an Electrical Circuit 5.7
Precautions and Problems 6
General 6.1
Fatigue and Hysteresis Effects 6.2
Illumination of Photocathode 6.3
Gas Leakage 6.4
Recommendations on Important Selection Criteria 7
1.2 Radiation in the frequency range common to analytical emission and absorption spectrometry is detected by photomulti-
pliers 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For terminology relating to detectors refer to Terminology E135.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 solar blind, n—photocathode of photomultiplier tube does not respond to wavelengths on the high side.
3.2.1.1 Discussion—In general, solar blind photomultiplier tubes used in opticalatomic emission spectroscopyspectrometry
transmit radiation below about 300 nm and do not transmit wavelengths above 300 nm.
4. Structural Features
4.1 General—Theexternalstructureanddimensions,aswellastheinternalstructureandelectricalproperties,canbesignificant
in the selection of a photomultiplier.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E01 onAnalytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores,Ores and Related Materials and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee E01.20 on Fundamental Practices.
Current edition approved June 10, 2003.May 1, 2008. Published July 2003.May 2008. Originally approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 19982003 as
E520–98(2003).
2
ForreferencedASTMstandards,visittheASTMwebsite,www.astm.org,[e-mail] Annual Book of ASTM Standards
, Vol 03.05.volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E520–08
4.2 External Structure—The external structure consists of envelope configurations, window materials, electrical contacts
through the glass-wall envelopes, and exterior housing.
4.2.1 Envelope Configurations—Glass envelope shapes and dimensions are available in an abundant variety. At present, two
envelope configurations are common, the end-on (or head-on) and side-on types (see Fig. 1).
4.2.2 Window Materials—Various window materials, such as glass, quartz and quartz-like materials, sapphire, magnesium
fluoride, and cleaved lithium fluoride, cover the ranges of spectral transmission essential to efficient detection in spectrometric
applications. Window cross sections for the end-on type photomultipliers include plano-plano, plano-concave, convexo-concave
forms, and a hemispherical form for the collection of 2-p radians of light flux.
4.2.3 Electrical Connections—Standard pin bases, flying-leads, or potted pin bases are available to facilitate the location of a
photomultiplier, or for the use of a photomultiplier at low temperatures. TFE-fluorocarbon receptacles for pin-base
...