Spatial distributions of non-atomic species in graphite furnaces

Techniques for measuring the spatial distributions of non-atomic species in graphite furnaces have been reviewed, and the literature describing such investigations is discussed. In situ measurements of the molecules C-2, CN, Ag-2, AgH and various metal oxides, and also of particulates formed from condensation of supersaturated matrix vapours in cooler regions of the tube, are described, and their importance for routine analytical applications and fundamental studies of the graphite furnace technique are discussed. Most of the results demonstrate that non-atomic species are non-uniformly distributed over the tube cross-section.