Abstract: A device for electrothermal atomization of samples for spectroscopic purposes with a furnace body made of graphite, designed such that electrical current can be passed through, and a pot-shaped sample receptacle which is separated from the furnace body and projects into a lateral aperture of the furnace body comprises a driving device by which the sample receptacle is movable into and out of thermal contact with the furnace body. The driving device together with the heating current of the furnace body is controlled by a controlling device such that the sample receptacle engages the furnace body during a drying and decomposing step and thereafter, is raised from the furnace body by the driving device. Thereafter, with raised sample receptacle, the furnace body is heated to atomization temperature until a temperature stabilization is achieved and, finally, the sample receptacle is again moved into contact with the furnace body.

Abstract: A device for electrothermal atomization of a sample for spectroscopic purposes comprises a furnace (10) which is held between two contacts (54, 56). The contacts (54, 56) surround the furnace (10 ) and form a cavity (58) with an insulating gap (88) being formed between the contacts (54, 56). This gap (88) is closed by a seal (142) made of ceramic felt so that inert gas passed into the cavity (58) emerges only through a bore (14) of the furnace (10) and sample inlet ports (116, 120). Thereby, the inert gas consumption is reduced well-defined flow conditions also result for the inert gas in the cavity (58) which expands when the furnace (10) is heated.