CONTINUUM SOURCE ATOMIC-ABSORPTION SPECTROMETRY IN AN AIR ACETYLENE FLAME WITH IMPROVED DETECTION LIMITS

A continuum source atomic absorption spectrometer with name atomization and photodiode array detection is described. High-resolution atomic absorption spectra spanning a spectral window of 9 nm are obtained using a 5-s integration period. As many as 11 elements can be detected in a single spectrum. The improved light-gathering power of the system results in detection limits similar to those observed with conventional line source systems at wavelengths as low as 223 nm. For example, detection limits of 2 ng/mL are observed for Cd (228 nm), Mn (279 nm), and Ag (328 nm). Linear dynamic ranges spanning 3 orders of magnitude are typical, with extended ranges up to 6 orders of magnitude possible by monitoring more than one atomic line for a single element.