Why optimize your fluorometer's xenon lamp after one year's use?
In a fluorometer, the Xenon lamp plays an essential role in providing the light source required for fluorescence intensity measurements. However, with time and repeated use, adjustments become necessary to maintain optimum performance. But why do we need to realign this lamp after a year's use?
Natural wear and tear of Xenon lamps
In a Xenon lamp, light emission occurs between a cathode and an anode. The electrical discharge between these electrodes generates luminescence, which is essential for fluorometer operation. However, over time, repeated discharges have an impact on the structure of the cathode. Specifically, the cathode tip becomes progressively dull, leading to an increase in the distance between cathode and anode.
Impact on light output
This physical change has a direct impact on the lamp's luminescence focal point. In other words, the lamp's adjustment parameters, notably its height alignment, are no longer optimal. The reduction of the lamp's luminous flux does not affect the accuracy and reproducibility of the measurements. However, the reduction in flux limits the excitation power of the sample and consequently its emission. This may also lead to instability in the measurements, as they can become noisier.
Optimization and realignment
Fortunately, a simple lamp realignment operation can compensate for these wear effects. By adjusting the height and alignment of the lamp, it is possible to re-establish optimum luminous flux and thus improve the quality of the analyses carried out with your fluorometer.
Conclusion
To ensure consistent, accurate performance, we recommend realigning your Xenon lamp after about a year's use. This simple, regular maintenance will preserve the quality of your measurements and optimize the efficiency of your device. Optimizing or realigning the lamp can be done by yourself, using the manual. However, a small amount of training by a service engineer can also be done to avoid any risk of mishandling the instrument.
