Atomic Absorption

and
Fluorescence
Spectroscopy

Perez, Dianne Kristine A.

BS Chemistry 2301
• Atomic spectroscopy methods are used for the
qualitative and quantitative determination of more
than 70 elements.
• Typically, these methods can detect parts-per-million
(ppm) to parts-per-billion (ppb), and, in some cases,
even smaller concentrations.
• Theses methods are rapid, convenient, and usually of
high selectivity.
• First step in all atomic spectroscopic procedures
atomization.

*Atomization is a process in which a sample is

converted into gas-phase atoms or elementary ions.
• Types of atomic spectroscopy:
1. Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS)
2. Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry (AFS)
3. Atomic Emission Spectrometry (AES)
4. Atomic Mass Spectrometry (AMS)
Atomic Absorption Spectrometry
• It is an analytical technique that measures the
concentrations of elements. It makes use of the
absorption of light by these elements in order to
measure their concentration .
• AAS was employed in the 1950’s.
• Used for qualitative and quantitative detection.
• It is used for the determination of the presence and
concentrations of metals in liquid samples.
• Metals that can be detected include Fe, Cu, Al, Pb,
Ca, Zn, Cd and many more.
• Concentrations range is in the low mg/L (ppm)
range.
Elements that are highlighted in pink are
detectable by AAS
Diagram of an AAS Instrument
 4. The element in the sample
will absorb some of the light,
thus reducing its intensity

3. A beam of UV light 5. The

will be focused on the monochromator
sample isolates the line of
interest

1. We set the
instrument at
certain 2. The element
wavelength in the sample
suitable for a will be atomized 6. The detector
certain element by heat measures the change
in intensity

7. A computer data
system converts the
change in intensity into
an absorbance
 Principal Components of AAS

1.Light source

Hollow Cathode Lamp Laser

 1. Hallow Cathode Lamp
The most common source for AAS. It consists of
tungsten anode and a cylindrical cathode in a glass tube
that is filled with Ne or Ar at a pressure of 1 to 5 torr.
2. Laser (EDL):
EDL are available commercially for 15 or more
than elements. They are intense enough to excite atoms
to higher energy levels. This allows AA and atomic
fluorescence measurements in a single instrument.

*The disadvantage of both the HCL and laser is

that they have narrow-band light sources and so only
one element is measurable at a time.
 How it works?

• Applying a potential difference between the anode

and the cathode leads to the ionization of some gas
atoms .
• These gaseous ions bombard the cathode and eject
metal atoms from the cathode in a process called
sputtering. Some sputtered atoms are in excited
states and emit radiation characteristic of the metal
as they fall back to the ground state.
 2. Atomiser

Flame Graphite Furnace Hydride

 2. Atomizer
• Elements to be analyzed needs to be in atomic sate
• Atomization is separation of particles into individual
molecules and breaking molecules into atoms .This is
done by exposing the analyte to high temperatures
in a flame or graphite furnace.
• The role of the atom cell is to primarily dissolvate a
liquid sample and then the solid particles are
vaporized into their free gaseous ground state form .
In this form atoms will be available to absorb
radiation emitted from the light source and thus
generate a measurable signal proportional to
concentration .
 3.Light Separation

Monochromator:
used to isolate the absorption line from
background light due to interferences.

*Simple dedicated AA instruments often

replace the monochromator with a bandpass
interference filter.
 3. Monochromators

• This is a very important part in an AA spectrometer.

It is used to separate out all of the thousands of
lines. Without a good monochromator, detection
limits are severely compromised.
• 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.
 4.Detectors

Photomultiplier tubes
 4. Detector and Read out Device
• 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.
 Applications of AAS

• AAS is a sensitive means for quantitative

determination of more than 60 metals or metalloid
elements. The resonance lines for the nonmetallic
elements are generally located below 200 nm, thus
preventing their determination by convenient,
nonvacuum spectrophotometers.