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Spectrophotometer Phototube

Physics

This object is inside a brown cardboard box labelled ‘Atomizer Assembly’ and is wrapped in corrugated cardboard.

It is a glass vacuum tube with a metallic surface on the interior and exterior of the bulb. The domed top of the glass is orange-coloured and has a cylindrical metallic protrusion. At the base there are four metal pins. A wire emerges from the base of the glass section and connects to one of the pins.

Accession Number: 2009.ph.238

Alternative Name:

Primary Materials: Glass, Metal, Plastic

Markings:

On the box top:
“No. 10696 Quantity 1
ATOMIZER ASSEMBLY
FOR BECKMAN FLAME SPECTROPHOTOMETER
FRAGILE – GLASS
Made in U.S.A.
NATIONAL TECHNICAL LABORATORIES
South Pasadena, California”

Written in pencil on one end: “#2532 (1)”

Inside the box on the top of the cardboard packaging, written in pencil: “[????] #1 Nov. 1”

On the base of the object: “SYLVANIA MADE IN USA”
On a label on the base of the object: ” CAT. NO. 2532 NATIONAL TECHNICAL LABORATORIES”
On the glass bulb of the tube: “1229” “A9P”

Dimensions (cm):

Box: 13.2cm x 6.5 x 6.5cm; Object: Length = 11cm, Diameter = 4.3cm

Function:

Electrically detecting light, likely for use in a Beckman Spectrophotometer DU.

Condition:

Fair. The box shows some signs of use. The tape is torn and has become brittle.

The tube has apparently been used. A dull metallic coating on the inside of the glass is eroded away in places, revealing a brighter silver metal underneath.

The insulation of the wire is frayed where it meets the connector at its end, and brittle along its length.

Associated Instruments:

Manufacturer: Sylvania Electrical Products

Date of Manufacture: c. 1960s

Provenance:

University of Toronto Department of Physics

Additional Information and References:

Historical Notes:

Themes: