How do I correctly operate and maintain the 11.7 eV lamp?
Life…The life expectancy of Photoionisation Detector (PID) lamps depends on how they are operated. Factors such as detector temperature, current through the lamp, sample type and window cleaning procedures all directly affect useful life. Operation…Typical useful life for lamps with lithium fluoride window (11.7eV or more) is about 200 hours when the lamp is operated at room temperature. Lamps with these windows should not be operated above room temperature because lithium fluoride is susceptible to degradation by water vapour at elevated temperatures. During normal operation of the photoionisation detector, the lamp window can become coated with a film of UV absorbing materials which is deposited from the gas stream. This reduces the lamp’s effective light output, results in a loss of sensitivity and shows as a substantial drop in peak height or area on the chromatogram. Removal of the lamp and proper cleaning of the lamp window will usually restore the detector sensitivity. Maintenan
