A SIMPLE, LOW-COST, MULTIELEMENT ATOMIC-ABSORPTION SPECTROMETER WITH A TUNGSTEN COIL ATOMIZER

An inexpensive, multielement atomic absorption spectrometer utilizing a tungsten coil atomizer has been developed. The novel optical arrange ment employs three 60 degrees beam combiners to blend the spectral out put from four light sources such as electrodeless discharge lamps, or hollow cathode lamps, and then direct that output over an atomizer. Th is instrument uses an inexpensive tungsten coil atomizer that is extra cted from a standard 150 W projector bulb. The temperature of the coil is computer-controlled by changing the voltage across the coil. A low voltage is first used to dry the sample then a higher voltage is used to atomize the sample. Simultaneous detection of the analyte absorpti on signals is accomplished using a charge-coupled device. The elements of interest in this study were Cd, Pb, and Cu. Near-line background c orrection was used to correct for nonspecific analyte absorption. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.