Simple, inexpensive, multi-element atomic absorption using a flame resonance spectrometer with a continuum source

Abstract

This paper presents the design and performance of an atomic absorption spectrophotometer based on a continuum source and a flame resonance spectrometer. The continuum source used was an Eimac 150 W xenon arc lamp although fluctuations in this source were found to have a significant limitation on overall performance. Both air-acetylene and air-hydrogen flames were investigated for use as the resonance spectrometer and air-acetylene was preferred. Results are presented for Ag, Au, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni and Pb. This system can readily be used for rapid-sequential multi-element analysis by simply changing the solution aspirated into the spectrometer flame.