Single-channel time-divided simultaneous multi-element atomic absorption spectrometry using an electrothermal atomiser

Abstract

A single-channel time-divided atomic absorption spectrometric system is described that enables simultaneous multi-element data to be obtained using a multi-hollow cathode lamp, an electrothermal atomiser, one photomultiplier tube and a fast-response data acquisition system. No optical system (monochromator) is required. The emission intensity of the multi-hollow cathode lamp was higher than that of the conventional single-element hollow cathode lamps, especially for Cu and Fe. Precisions of ⩽5% were attained for both the peak-height and peak-area methods. The calibration graphs were linear in the ranges 20–200, 0.5–10 and 0.1–5 ng for Al, Cu and Fe, respectively. The proposed system is comparable to a conventional single-element electrothermal atomisation atomic absorption spectrometer with respect to precision and calibration ranges.