SPECTROSCOPIC SOURCE $STABILIZER^{*}$

Abstract

A simple, alternating current stabilizer has been developed for Nernst glowers. The glower power is regulated by a magnetic amplifier, which is controlled by a D. C. signal from a photocell. The photoconductive cell monitors the output of the glower trough a Corning glass filter and maintains a constant radiant flux in the near infrared. The stabilizer was developed to eliminate slow drift of the glower output in order to facilitate intensity measurements. However, the short term stability has also been improved, so that the apparent noise level is lower. An all-electronic, direct current stabilizer was developed previously and worked very well. However, the useful lifetime of the glowers was greatly shortened by polarization caused by the direct current.