How does an Agilent atomic absorption instrument work? It measures the number of certain elements in a given sample. Generally, it works by heating the element to its vaporization point and using a light source to measure how much light the vaporized element absorbs. This information is used to create a concentration profile of the element in the sample. Let’s take a closer look at how this process works.
What is Agilent Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy?
Agilent atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) is a standard technique for measuring metal concentrations in various samples. It is an analytical method used to identify the concentration of specific elements in a sample.
AAS is based on the idea that atoms and ions may absorb light at a certain wavelength. When this certain wavelength of light is given, the atom absorbs the energy or the light. Then, AAS will measure the absorbed light and calculate the element concentration in the sample.
How does an Agilent atomic absorption spectrometer work?
An atomic absorption spectrometer, also known as AAS or AA spectrometer, is used to study atomic absorption spectroscopy. The AA spectrometer operates by:
1. Using a heat source, like flame, to maintain a stable state of freely dissociated ground-state atoms.
2. Light of a certain wavelength is passed through the flame. For a certain element, the wavelength refers to the amount of energy necessary to excite an electron from the ground to the first excited state.
3. Determining the amount of light absorbed by atoms when they transition to their excited state, the atomic absorption.
4. Based on a calibration graph and the obtained absorbance, the element concentration in a solution can now be computed.
Components Inside the Atomic Absorption Spectrometer
A simple flame atomic absorption spectrometer consists of the following components:
1. Sample introduction system.
2. The burner or flame with its corresponding gas supplies, like air-acetylene or nitrous oxide-acetylene.
3. Light source, like a hollow cathode lamp (HCL).
4. A monochromator, the optical components inside the box.
5. Optical detectors, such as photomultiplier tubes or PMT.
5. Computerized instrument control, which calculates each element’s concentration in the sample.
Different Types of AA Spectrometers
Agilent has a wide range of spectrometers, which are productive, user-friendly, and greatly reliable. The instruments provide the high performance required by analysts while also being at ease in regular laboratories where dependability and ease of use are critical.
Generally, AA spectrometers have three different types, depending on what you need and how your work environment behaves:
- Fs Flame AA – includes 240FS + SIPS, 280FS + SIPS
- Vapor Generation AA – includes 240FS/280FS AA + VGA 77
- Zeeman GFAA – includes 240Z AA, 280Z AA
Agilent Duo System
This type of AA spectrometer has two instruments, one flame AA and a graphite furnace AA, which is operated by a single computer. This device is appropriate for laboratories that must be prepared for any sample type and prevent productivity loss. It can switch between flame and furnace functions on a single instrument.
Conclusion
Does your local water treatment plant ensure safe drinking water? One of the ways they do this is by using instruments like an Agilent atomic absorption instrument to measure the levels of certain elements in a given sample.
This instrument works by heating the element to its vaporization point and using a light source to measure how much light the vaporized element absorbs. Understanding how these instruments work gives us more confidence to meet safety standards.
References:
https://www.agilent.com/en/support/atomic-spectroscopy/atomic-absorption/flame-atomic-absorption-instruments/how-does-aas-work-aas-faqs#:~:text=Atomic%20absorption%20spectroscopy%20is%20studied,specific%20wavelength%20through%20the%20flame.
https://www.agilent.com/en/product/atomic-spectroscopy/atomic-absorption
