Photographic observation of molecular spectra in inverse Zeeman-effect graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract

Time-resolved high-resolution spectrographic measurements were used to record absorption spectra during the vaporisation of a Cu(NO₃)₂-NH₄H₂PO₄ matrix in a side-heated graphite furnace. Three molecular species, PO, CuH and CN, were identified and the temperature intervals for their existence in the furnace were established. Measurements with and without a magnetic field applied to the furnace showed that only the absorption profiles of certain PO bands were affected. Various analyte emission lines within the spectral regions affected by PO band systems were checked for background-correction errors using a Perkin-Elmer Zeeman-3030 instrument equipped with an HGA-600 furnace. Overcorrection was observed for the 326.1-nm Cd, 253.7-nm Hg, 247.6-nm Pd, 246.3-nm Fe and 328.1-nm Ag lines.