Abstract: An electrothermal atomizer comprises a tubular graphite body (1) whose ends are clamped between two pairs of graphite contact members (2,4;3,5) which are arranged to form a containment zone for the tubular body (1). The graphite contact members (2,4;3,5) clamp the ends of the tubular body (1) in a radial direction and are separable from each other by an upwardly pivotting movement of the members (2,3). The lower contact members (4,5) are urged towards each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tubular body (1) by means of a leaf spring (42) so that when the clamping force on the tubular body (1) is released by raising the upper contact members (2,3) the tubular body (1) is lightly retained by the lower contact members (4,5). Thus easy access for adjusting the orientation of the tubular body (1) can be obtained, for example to adjust the orientation of the dosing aperture and/or probe entry slot (8).

Abstract: A tube cell for flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry has a transverse cross-section with the portion above a longitudinally extending line midway between the top and bottom of the tube cell having a smaller cross-sectional area than the portion below that line. The tube cell has an elongated aperture formed close to the bottom of the tube cell for inserting a probe or platform carrying a sample to be analyzed. The cross-section of the tube cell is shaped to maximize the size of the probe which can be used, and accordingly, the sample volume, while keeping the total cross-sectional area to a minimum in order to maximize chemical sensitivity. A number of different cross-sectional shapes are described including a triangular cross-section.

Abstract: An electrothermal atomizer comprises a graphite tubular member (1) which is clamped between two pairs of graphite contact members (3,5). The contact members are provided with semicircular grooves (14,22) between which the tubular member is clamped with a sufficient force to flex the wall of the tubular member to conform to the profile of the grooves. This arrangement improves the electrical contact between the tubular member (1) and the contact members (3,5) as contact over an area is provided rather than point or line contact.