Atomic Emission Spectroscopy-A Powerful Tool for Instrumented Chemical Analysis
Understanding Instrumented Chemical Analysis
Instrumented chemical analysis is an essential technique used to determine the elemental composition of a sample. It involves using sophisticated instruments to measure the intensity of the spectral lines produced by the elements present in the sample. The most widely used instrumented technique is Direct Reading Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (AES) [formerly Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES)]. This method works by measuring the intensities of the characteristic lines and comparing them to the same lines from known concentration standards. This enables the concentration of a specific element in the sample to be determined.
Plasma mass spectrometry and applications of atomic emission spectroscopy
Other instrumented techniques used for elemental chemical analysis are Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). In this method, a spark source is used to heat the sample, causing a small amount of the sample to vaporize and form a plasma. This plasma generates a spectrum of lines from the elements present in the sample. The spectra are then analyzed to separate the analytical lines and quantify the amount of light emitted by the elements. This information is then compared to known standards to identify the element and calculate its concentration.
Instrumented chemical analysis is highly reliable for determining a sample’s elemental composition. It is fast, accurate, and used in many manufacturing and industrial applications. The results can be used to identify the type of element present in the sample and its concentration.
