Ak. Gilmutdinov et al., ANALYTICAL MEASUREMENT IN ELECTROTHERMAL ATOMIC-ABSORPTION SPECTROMETRY - HOW CORRECT IS IT, Journal of analytical atomic spectrometry, 9(5), 1994, pp. 643-650
The detection system for atomic absorption spectrometers based on the
use of photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) is analysed from the point of view
of its ability to provide accurate analytical information. It is show
n that absorbance recorded by the system depends not only on the numbe
r of absorbing atoms but also on their distribution in the furnace vol
ume. The typical non-uniformity of atomic distribution that occurs in
graphite furnaces and its impact on the recorded signal are discussed.
The cross-sectional distribution of the intensity of the radiation be
am from a primary source was measured at different locations of the sp
ectrometer for different source operating conditions. The distribution
is rather non-uniform and can be described by the Gaussian function.
An analysis of the joint effect of the radiation and analyte non-unifo
rmity on the absorbance measured is given. The shape of the radiation
beam cross-section changes from a circle to an ellipse with increasing
lamp current. A new. detection system based on the use of a solid-sta
te detector (photodiode array, charge coupled device, charge injection
device) instead of PMTs is proposed. The solid-state detector is loca
ted vertically along the monochromator exit slit and allows the detect
ion of spatially resolved absorbances. It is shown that the analytical
signal recorded by this new system is proportional to the number of a
bsorbing atoms irrespective of the non-uniformities described above.