Patent ID: 8502973
Filing Date: 2013-08-06
Classification: G01J,G01N

Abstract:
1. An optical emission analyzer comprising: an emission stand for generating an excitation emission between a sample and a discharge electrode; a capacitor circuit and an igniter circuit, for generating a spark discharge between the sample and the discharge electrode; an arc-generating circuit including a power source, a coil and a switching element for exciting the coil by alternately connecting the coil to the power source and disconnecting the coil from the power source, with the igniter circuit, the capacitor circuit and the arc-generating circuit being connected in series to the emission stand to form a discharge path, a switching means for changing a state of the arc-generating circuit between a closed state and an open state; and a control means for controlling the switching means to coordinate a timing of initiating the spark discharge and a timing of initiating an excitation of the coil so that an excitation current of the coil reaches a predetermined target value before the spark discharge ceases and for controlling the arc-generating circuit so that, after the spark discharge is generated by the igniter circuit, an arc discharge is generated and maintained by the arc-generating circuit.