Need for fundamental data in atomic fluorescence spectrometry

Abstract

This paper discusses the needs for fundamental data in atomic fluorescence spectrometry and addresses the diagnostic and theoretical aspects, on the one hand, and the analytical aspects, on the other. Transition probabilities, collision cross sections for excitation and deexcitation, lifetimes, quantum efficiencies, and ionization and recombination cross sections are shown to be the essential fundamental data needed for diagnostic and theoretical studies. It is argued that, analytically, detailed knowledge is indispensable about the excitation and emission spectra as observed with a tunable dye laser as excitation source and a versatile atomizer, such as an ICP, as fluorescence cell.