High-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry in an air-acetylene flame with photodiode array detection
Abstract
A high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometer using a photodiode array detector and flame atomisation is described which provides wavelength versus absorbance spectra over a 2.5-nm spectral range. The multi-wavelength detection power allows the simultaneous determination of several elements, reduces problems caused by spectral interferences and automatically corrects for non-zero background absorbance. Each spectrum is acquired in 33 ms and many successive spectra can be averaged to improve the signal to noise ratios. Limits of detection calculated for nine elements range from 0.03 mg lā1 for magnesium to 10 mg lā1 for nickel.