Abstract: The invention relates to a multielement atomic absorption spectrometer for simultaneously performing measurements for determining both one element and a plurality of elements under optimum conditions. The atomic absorption spectrometer comprises at least two lamps respectively emitting lines of at least one analyte element, a furnace heating the analyte sample into its atomized state, at least one optical dispersion element having an entrance slit arranged upstream thereof, detector elements, as well as means for passing radiation emanating from the lamps through the furnace, through the entrance slit and the dispersion element to the detector elements, and measuring means.

Abstract: A tubular furnace having an inner body connecting by an integral radially extending web. The web is positioned on the side of the tubular furnace so that a sample placed in the inner body and resting in the bottom thereof will not be heated by the web. Other embodiments illustrate the web positioned at different axial locations.

Abstract: The manufacturing of a furnace for electro-thermal atomization of samples for spectroscopical purposes having a cavity for the accommodation of sample is simplified and improved. To this end, the furnace consists of two halves which are joined along a separating plane intersecting the cavity. The furnace is made of graphite and provided with a layer of pyrolytic graphite. A platform for the accommodation of the sample is integral with one of the halves.

Abstract: A method of and a device for multi-element measurement of elements in a sample with correction for background emission. The method starts with atomizing a sample and then exciting the transformed atoms to emit light containing characteristic spectral lines for each element, followed by generating a spectrum of spectral lines characteristic of the elements, followed by measuring the intensity of selected spectral lines falling within a predetermined measuring range without changing their intensity. The next steps are sensing the background emission adjacent the selected spectral lines simultaneously with measuring the intensity of selected spectral lines and determining the concentration of each element from the measured intensity of the corresponding spectral line and sensed background emission.

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.

Abstract: An atomic emission spectrometer for multi-element measurement of elements in a sample comprises an apparatus to atomize the sample and to excite the atoms for emitting characteristic spectral lines, a dispersion device which generates a spectrum of the light emitted by the atoms in a focal plane, and a plurality of semiconductor photodetectors, each of which is exposed to one of said characteristic spectral lines. A plurality of semiconductor photodetectors which are exposed to different spectral lines of different intensities of the line spectrum emitted by the atoms of the respective element are utilized so as to achieve a sufficiently large dynamic range for each element to be measured. For measuring each element, an evaluating circuit is arranged to select one semiconductor photodetector for which the intensity of the associated spectral line lies within a part of the measuring range of the semiconductor photodetector which is as favorable as possible.

Abstract: An electrothermal atomization furnace for atomizing samples for analysis by atomic absorption spectoscopy comprising a tubular furnace body (36) which is provided on both sides with longitudinal contact ribs (38, 40) and cylindrical contact pieces (18, 20) integral with these contact ribs. In one embodiment, bores (49, 50, 52, 54) are provided in the contact ribs (38, 40) parallel to the furnace body (36) in order to reduce the cross-section for the current supply along the center area of the furnace body (36). These bores are intersected by transverse bores (56, 58, 60 and 62, 64, 66, respectively) and communicate with inert gas passages (68, 70) so that the bores contribute to reduce the cross-section as well as to distribute the inert gas. In another embodiment, grooves are provided in the planar surfaces instead of the bores. An equal temperature distribution along the furnace body (36) is achieved.