UV PHOTOMETER BASED ON RADIOLUMINESCENCE WITH APPLICATIONS IN HPLC AND PROCESS CONTROL

摘要

A new UV photometer based on radioluminescence was developed. The light source consists of a luminous crystal which is irradiated by a radioactive element. This UV source has a lifetime of more than 10 years. A special absorption cell with high light throughput together with a fiber rod was used. Although radioluminescence has a rather weak intensity, it was possible to use an inexpensive and robust silicon photodiode. This photometer is especially suited for process control applications, explosive environments, and HPLC because there are no movable parts and because of its good stability. The minimum detectable absorbance, limited by noise, amounts to 1.2 x 10(-5) AU, and the peak form of our special HPLC cell is comparable with or better than those obtained with conventional HPLC cells.