The emission spectra of Yb, Eu, Y, Sm hollow cathode lamps have been investigated with a high current microsecond pulsed (HCMP) supply developed in our laboratory. Both atomic and ionic emission lines of interest of these rare earth elements are enhanced by tens to tens of thousand times in HCMP mode compared to DC mode. Effects of parameters of the supply on emission intensities are surveyed. HCMP HCLs may be used as an economic and convenient excitation source for atomic/ionic fluorescence spectrometric analysis.