Atomic absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy with a carbon-filament atom reservoir: Part II. use of the atom reservoir in atomic fluorescence spectroscopy

Abstract

The design and operation of an improved carbon-filament atom reservoir is described. The improvements incorporated are: a rigid metal base, a system of water cooling the electrode supports, introduction of a laminar gas flow through the cell, improved electrical contact between the filament and its supports and the use of calibrated micropipettes to apply the sample. Optimum conditions for determination by atomic fluorescence of a number of metals are described and limits of detection are reported. The latter generally appear to be somewhat better than those obtained by flame methods, but it is the absolute size of the amount determined which is most significant. The coefficient of variation for a single determination with the improved cell is less than 3%.