Abstract

Hg pencil-type discharge lamps are widely used for alignment and calibration of instruments in analytical spectroscopy laboratories. Their wide availability, easy operation, and simple spectrum make them an attractive source for wavelength calibration; however, no precise measurements of the Hg lines as emitted by these lamps have previously been published. As one component of a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with Oriel Corporation, we have observed several Hg pencil lamps with a high-resolution Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) and have evaluated their suitability as a source of wavelength standards.

© 1995 Optical Society of America