Continuum source excited atomic fluorescence in the metastable nitrogen plasma

Abstract

Source-modulated continuum source excited atomic fluorescence (AFC) detection limits were measured for 13 elements in a metastable nitrogen plasma atom cell which used a carbon furnace for sample introduction. The AFC detection limits were compared to wavelength-modulated atomic emission (AE) detection limits in the same atom cell under the same plasma conditions. AFC detection limits were 5 to 2500 times poorer than the AE detection limits. Increased background noise due to analyte AE was shown to be the primary reason for the poor AFC results.