Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out atomic spectroscopy, and particularly atomic absorption and atomic fluorescence spectroscopy. The method involves passing the emission spectrum of a light source through an atomized sample, changing the relationship between a selected emission line of the emission spectrum and a corresponding absorption line of the atoms of interest and measuring the absorption of that emission line by the sample before and after the aforementioned change in relationship. The change in emission and absorption line relationship can be effected by application of the Zeeman Effect, Stark Effect, or Doppler Effect. The apparatus, in one form, includes an electro-magnet operative to apply a magnetic field to the atomized sample and thereby cause splitting and shifting of the aforementioned absorption line, and the magnet is modulated to effect periodic variation of the spectral line relationship.