About Atomic Absorption Spectrometers

Atomic absorption (AA) spectrometers use light absorption to measure the concentration of gas-
phase atoms. An analyte, usually a solid or liquid, is vaporized in a flame or in a graphite furnace
with a temperature of 1000° - l 200° K. Atoms absorb ultraviolet or visible light and achieve
higher energy levels. Absorption amounts determine the analyte concentration.
Atomic absorption spectrometers can measure analyte concentrations over a spectral range or a
dynamic range. The spectral, or wavelength, range captures the dispersion of the grating across
the linear array. This amount is also expressed as the “size” of the spectra on the array. The
dynamic range, also known as the linear dynamic range or the linear range, is the range over
which a response is a well-defined (usually linear) function of the analyte concentration. To vary
the dynamic range, operators adjust instrumental parameters to, for example, decrease the
absorption path length and sample volume.
Flame atomic absorption and graphite furnace atomic absorption (GFAA) are vaporization
methods used with atomic absorption spectrometers. Flame atomic absorption, a common
technique for detecting metals and metalloids in environmental samples, is based on how ground
state metals absorb light at specific wavelengths. Applying a flame converts metal ions in a
solution to an atomic state. Light of the appropriate wavelength is supplied and the amount of
light absorbed is measured against a standard curve. Graphite furnace atomic absorption (GFAA)
is a highly sensitive spectroscopic technique that measures each element sequentially. GFAA is
useful when samples are very small, when very low levels of detection are required, and when
matrices are dilute or volatile. Furnace parameter adjustments and matrix modifiers allow
operators to optimize the analytical method for each element.
To convert radiant energy from a light source to electricity, atomic absorption spectrometers
include a detector. Typically, the detector is a photomultiplier tube; however, some instruments
use a solid-state detector. Photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) are photo-detectors with adjustable
voltages that translate optical signals into electrical current. Increasing the PMT voltage
increases the output signal for a given amount of light. Photodiodes are semiconductor devices
used to detect light and generate an electrical current. Typically, photodiodes are used in forward
scatter (FSC) detection.
Atomic absorption spectrometers allow operators to adjust sample temperatures and program
fluorometers. Some spectrometers are self-calibrating, position lights automatically, or
compensate for stray light emissions and various spectral interferences that bias analytical
results. Intrinsically safe (IS) instruments do not release sufficient electrical or thermal energy to
ignite hazardous atmospheric mixtures.
Atomic absorption spectrometers provide different adjustment and display options. Some
spectrometers have an analog panel with dials and switches; typically, an analog meter or simple
visual indicator displays data. Other instruments have a digital front panel with keypads and
menus, and provide digital readouts or video displays. Some atomic absorption spectrometers
also include application software or serial, parallel, or other computer interfaces.
Products & Services Related to Atomic Absorption
Spectrometers
Atomic Emission and Optical Emission Spectrometers
Atomic emission and optical emission spectrometers determine analyte concentration via a
quantitative measurement of the optical emission from excited atoms.
Fluorometers
Fluorometers measure the amount of fluorescent radiation produced by a sample exposed to
monochromatic radiation.
Infrared Spectrometers
Infrared (IR) spectrometers measure the wavelength and intensity of the absorption of infrared
light by a sample.
Mass Spectrometers
Mass spectrometers separate ions by their mass-to-charge (m/z) ratios. They are used to identify
compounds by the mass of one or more elements in the compound. They are also used to
determine the isotopic composition of one or more elements in a compound.
UV and Visible Spectrometers
UV and visible spectrometers measure the amount of ultraviolet (UV) and visible light
transmitted or absorbed by a sample placed in the spectrometer.
X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometers
X-ray fluorescence spectrometers (XRFs) use a spectroscopic technique that is commonly used
with solids, in which X-rays are used to excite a sample and generate secondary X-rays.
X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometers
X-ray fluorescence spectrometers (XRFs) use a spectroscopic technique that is commonly used
with solids, in which X-rays are used to excite a sample and generate secondary X-rays.

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