Evaluation of a direct-current argon plasma as a primary pseudocontinuum radiation source for wavelength-modulated atomic absorption spectrometry

Journal Article · Fri Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Anal. Chem.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ac50001a021· OSTI ID:5965608

Messman, J D; O'Haver, T C; Epstein, M S

A direct-current argon plasma (DCP) pseudocontinuum source is investigated as an alternative to a Cermax xenon arc continuum lamp (XAL) for wavelength-modulated continuum-source atomic absorption spectrometry (WM-AAC), particularly for the determination of elements in the lower ultraviolet wavelength region. The emission line from the DCP source is intentionally broadened by aspirating a large concentration of analyte solution into the plasma so that it appears as pseudocontinuum radiation over the narrow wavelength modulation interval. The DCP source significantly reduces both order overlap and far stray radiation compared to the XAL, but signal-to-noise ratios are degraded relative to the XAL source because of plasma-emission self-reversal flicker noise. 27 references, 3 figures, 4 tables.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Maryland, College Park
• OSTI ID: 5965608
• Journal Information: Anal. Chem.; (United States), Journal Name: Anal. Chem.; (United States) Vol. 57:2; ISSN ANCHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400104* -- Spectral Procedures-- (-1987)
ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ARGON
CADMIUM
CALCIUM
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
COPPER
CURRENTS
DATA
DIRECT CURRENT
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELEMENTS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FLUIDS
GASES
INFORMATION
IRON
MAGNESIUM
METALS
NONMETALS
NUMERICAL DATA
PLASMA
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
RARE GASES
SPECTROSCOPY
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
ZINC