ATOMIC SPECTROSCOPY

Absorption Spectroscopy: Emission Spectroscopy: FES,

AAS ICP-AES(OES)

Mass Spectrometry
 ATOMIC SPECTROSCOPY

Ion Emission

Atom Emission

E – energy difference between two levels;

h – Plank’s constant, 6.626068 10-34
m2kg/s;
c – speed of light, 299 792 458 m/s;
λ – wavelenght, nm
 ATOMIC
SPECTROSCOPY
Nebulizer converts the
solution into a spray

Flame (or Plasma) causes the solvent to evaporate,

leaving dry aerosol particles, then volatilizes the particles,
producing atomic, molecular and ionic species

After Skoog D. Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry, 2004, p.

 Introduction
Atomic absorption spectroscopy is a quantitative
method of analysis of any kind of sample ; that is
applicable to many metals and a few nonmetals.

• It is very reliable and simple to

use

• It can analyze over 62 elements

• It also measures the concentration of metals in 2
sample
ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
(AAS)
Gases mixture flame (1800 – 4500 º C): air-propane, air-acetylene etc. ;

The technique uses basically the principle that free atoms ( gas ) generated in
an atomizer can absorb radiation at specific frequency.

Atomic absorption spectrometry quantifies the absorption of ground state atoms in the
gaseous state ;
The atoms absorb ultraviolet or visible light and make transitions to higher electronic
energy levels . The analyte concentration is determined from the amount of absorption.
ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
(AAS) Operation principle of AAS

Light source – hollow cathode lamp. Each element has its own unique lamp.
Atomic cell – flame (gas mixture) or graphite furnance (accepts solutions, slurries, or even
solids).
Detector – photomultiplier.

After G.Ma and G.W. Gonzales,

• Concentration measurements are usually
determined
from a working curve after calibrating the
instrument with standards of known concentration.

• Atomic absorption is common technique

very
detecting metals and for in
metalloids
samples. environmental
7
INSTRUMENTATION
Hollow cathode
lamp

Nebulizer Detector
Atomic
Absorption
Spectrometer

Atomizer Monochromator
8
Hollow Cathode Lamp

1
0
 NEBULIZER:

 suck up liquid samples at controlled rate.

 create a fine aerosol spray for introduction into flame.

 Mix the aerosol and fuel and oxidant thoroughly

for introduction into flame.
 Flame Atomization
• Nebulizer suck up liquid samples at controlled rate.

• Create a fine aerosol spray for introduction into

flame.

• Mix the aerosol and fuel and oxidant thoroughly

for introduction into flame.

• An aerosol is a colloid of fine solid particles or liquid

droplets, in air or another gas.
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 MONOCHROMATOR
• This is a very important part in an AA spectrometer. It is
used to separate out all of the thousands of lines.

• A monochromator is used to select the specific

wavelength of light which is absorbed by the sample,
and to exclude other wavelengths.

• The selection of the specific light allows the

determination of the selected element in the presence
of
others. 15
 DIFFRACTION GRATING
the process by which a beam of light or other system of waves is spread
out as a result of passing through a narrow aperture or across an edge,
typically accompanied by interference between the wave forms produced

16
 DETECTOR
• The light selected by the monochromator is directed
onto a detector that is typically a photomultiplier tube ,
whose function is to convert the light signal into an
electrical signal proportional to the light intensity.

• The processing of electrical signal is fulfilled by a signal

amplifier . The signal could be displayed for readout , or
further fed into a data station for printout by the
requested format.

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PHOTOMULTIPLIER

21
 Applications
1) Presence of metals as an impurity or in alloys could be
done
easily
1) Level of metals could be detected in tissue samples like
Aluminum in blood and Copper in brain tissues
2) Due to wear and tear there are different sorts of metals
which are given in the lubrication oils which could be
determined for the analysis of conditions of machines
3) Determination of elements in the agricultural and food
products

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