Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry—on the way to absolute analysis

Abstract

A brief review is given of major advances in graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry over the last decade. Emphasis is placed on a method for the determination of alkaline earth and rare earth elements by a modified stabilised temperature platform furnace technique and a computerised method for the curvature correction of calibration graphs based on complete information on the shape of the absorption signals. Some theoretical and methodological problems, which must be solved on the way to absolute analysis, are discussed. In this context, various factors which may lead to variations of sensitivity with time and to differences in the calibration of instruments of the same type are indicated.