SENSITIVITIES AND DETECTION LIMITS FOR GRAPHITE-FURNACE ATOMIC-ABSORPTION SPECTROMETRY USING A CONTINUUM SOURCE AND LINEAR PHOTODIODE-ARRAYDETECTION

Analytical figures of merit have been examined for a series of element s (As, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Sn, and Zn) using graphite furn ace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) with a continuum source and a linear photodiode array detector. Intrinsic masses, mi were calcula ted for continuum source AAS based on wavelength and time integrated a bsorbance in units of pm-s. A simple triangular model, based on experi mental values for the hollow cathode lamp linewidths and calculated wi dths for the absorption profiles, was used to compute mi values from t abulated characteristic mass values for conventional AAS. With the exc eption of As and Se, the mi values for continuum source and convention al AAS agreed within a factor of two. Continuum source detection limit s obtained were similar to those reported for line source GFAAS. Two s tandard reference materials were analyzed and values for the elements studied were found to be in good agreement with the certified values.