Agilent-Compatible Hollow Cathode Lamp (HCL) – SGM KY-4 Series
| Brand | SGM |
|---|---|
| Origin | Beijing, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Origin Classification | Domestic (China) |
| Model | KY-4 |
| Price Range | USD 150 – 700 |
Overview
The SGM KY-4 series Agilent-compatible hollow cathode lamp (HCL) is a precision spectral source engineered for atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) systems requiring stable, narrow-line emission in the ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) range. Designed to meet the mechanical, electrical, and optical interface specifications of Agilent AA instruments—including the Agilent 240FS, 240Z, and 280 series—the KY-4 lamp utilizes a sealed quartz envelope containing a sputter-optimized cathode composed of the target element or alloy. Emission occurs via glow discharge excitation under low-pressure inert gas (typically neon or argon), generating characteristic atomic line spectra with high spectral purity and long-term intensity stability. This lamp is not an Agilent-branded product but is fully interoperable with Agilent’s auto-identification and power control protocols when used with compatible lamp housings and firmware versions.
Key Features
- Full mechanical and electrical compatibility with Agilent AAS instrument lamp mounts and power supplies
- Integrated encoding circuitry enabling automatic element recognition and wavelength selection in Agilent software (e.g., MP-AES and AA Workstation v5.x+)
- Cathode composition optimized for low noise, high signal-to-background ratio, and extended operational lifetime (>5,000 mA·h typical)
- Hermetically sealed quartz body with UV-transmitting window, rated for continuous operation at nominal current (6–25 mA, depending on element)
- Traceable manufacturing per ISO 9001-certified processes; individual spectral verification performed using calibrated monochromator systems
- Available for over 70 elements including As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Zn, and multi-element configurations (e.g., Ca/Mg, Na/K)
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The KY-4 lamp supports quantitative and semi-quantitative elemental analysis across aqueous, organic, and digested environmental, clinical, food, and geological samples. It complies with core performance criteria defined in ASTM D3919 (Standard Practice for Determining Trace Elements by Graphite Furnace AAS) and ISO 11885 (Water Quality — Determination of Selected Elements by Flame AAS). When deployed in regulated environments—such as clinical laboratories operating under CLIA or pharmaceutical QC labs adhering to USP and FDA 21 CFR Part 11—the lamp’s consistent output enables reproducible calibration curves (R² ≥ 0.9995 over 5-point linear range) and meets GLP/GMP requirements for instrument component traceability. Each unit ships with a Certificate of Conformance listing batch number, test date, dominant emission wavelength(s), and peak intensity deviation from NIST-traceable reference lamps.
Software & Data Management
The encoded KY-4 lamp communicates directly with Agilent’s AA Workstation software via I²C protocol, allowing seamless integration into method templates, audit trail logs, and electronic lab notebook (ELN) exports. Lamp identification data—including model, element, serial number, and operational hours—is automatically recorded during method execution and retained within the raw data file (.AAW format). Firmware updates do not require manual reconfiguration; the system detects lamp insertion, verifies encoding integrity, and applies pre-stored current/wavelength parameters. For labs implementing instrument qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ), SGM provides optional documentation packages supporting URS alignment, risk assessment (per ISO 14971), and change control records.
Applications
- Regulatory compliance testing for heavy metals in drinking water (EPA Method 200.9, ISO 17294-2)
- Quantification of essential and toxic elements in serum, whole blood, and urine per CLIA-waived protocols
- Multi-element screening in soil extracts and acid-digested sludge samples (ISO 11466)
- Quality control of metal catalysts and battery-grade transition metals (Ni, Co, Li) in raw material specifications
- Method validation studies requiring inter-laboratory comparability and certified reference material (CRM) traceability (e.g., NIST SRM 1643e)
FAQ
Is the KY-4 lamp officially certified by Agilent Technologies?
No. SGM is an independent manufacturer and authorized distributor; the KY-4 is a third-party compatible lamp—not an Agilent-branded product—but designed to Agilent’s published interface specifications.
Does it support automatic current optimization in Agilent instruments?
Yes. The encoded version transmits element-specific optimal lamp current values to the instrument firmware, enabling auto-current selection during method setup.
What is the expected lifetime under standard operating conditions?
Typical operational lifetime exceeds 5,000 mA·h at recommended current settings. Actual longevity depends on duty cycle, cooling efficiency, and power supply stability.
Can KY-4 lamps be used interchangeably with PerkinElmer or Shimadzu AAS systems?
Mechanical fit and spectral output are element-specific, not brand-specific. However, encoding is Agilent-protocol only; non-encoded KY-4 variants are available for universal use with manual configuration.
Is spectral certification provided with each lamp?
Yes. Every KY-4 lamp includes a printed Certificate of Conformance verifying dominant emission line(s), relative intensity profile, and spectral purity against NIST-traceable standards.
