The spark-spectra of indium and gallium in the extreme ultra-violet region

Abstract

The spark-spectrum of indium in the ultra-violet has been especially studied by Saunders, that of gallium by Saunders and Klein. By the use of a one-metre concave grating, mounted in a brass tube which could be exhausted, Saunders was able to extend the indium spark-spectrum as far below into the ultra-violet as λ = 1699 A. U. The line of shortest wave-length as yet noted in the gallium spark-spectrum—namely, λ = 2176 A. U.—was measured by Klein with a large quartz spectrograph whose mounting was of the Littrow type. With the object in view of making a complete and comprehensive examination of the spark-spectral lines of the above elements, that should extend right through the extreme ultra-violet and the quartz regions, the following investigations were undertaken. A.— Experiments in the Quartz Region . 1. Description of Apparatus .—For studying the spectra in the quartz region a spark chamber, diagrammatically shown in the figure, was employed. The spark chamber proper was a pyrex bulb about 7 inches in diameter. The terminals were of gallium and aluminium in the one experiment, and indium and aluminium in the other. Gallium has a very low melting point (30·2° C.). It was therefore placed in a tiny quartz cup, which, supported by a long aluminium rod, formed the lower terminal for the discharge. A piece of tungsten wire led from the aluminium support through the stem of the cup to the gallium. The upper electrode was of aluminium filed down to a point. Pieces of pressure tubing, 2 inches in length, lined with soft wax, fitted over the terminal supports and the tube elongations from the spark chamber. These formed gas-tight moveable joints, and served for the purpose of adjusting the spaek gap. The gap ranged from 2 to 3 mm. in width. The quartz window, through which the light passed into the spectrograph, was fastened to the spark chamber with sealing wax. One stop-cock led to the exhaust pumps, the other to the system of drying tubes. The spark was produced by a primary current of 110 volts ranging from 4 to 6 amperes. A Hilger Quartz-Prism Spectrograph, Type A, was used. All photographs were taken on Schumann plates.