Recording system with spatial resolution for atomic-absorption spectrophotometers

An alternative method is developed for recording atomic absorption with spa tial resolution on the basis of a position-sensitive photodetector. The mai n requirements on the optical system, the source, the radiation detector, a nd the algorithms for processing and interpreting the results are formulate d. A description is given of how the proposed method is put into practice o n the basis of a commercial atomic-absorption spectrophotometer. The advant ages of the new recording system are shown, using the atomization of biolog ical specimens of complex composition as an example. (C) 1999 The Optical S ociety of America. [S1070-9762(99)0 1707-8].