Electrothermal atomizers temperature programming

Inadequate regulation of atomizer temperature Is a major source of Imprecision In electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The programmed heating of electrothermal atomizers can be achieved by five different methods, depending upon the electrical or physical parameters which are monltorled during... 

Electrothermal vaporization. With ETV/ICP-MS, a small amount of solid sample ( lmg) is introduced into a graphite furnace and subjected to a multi-step temperature program for atomization. Additionally, a modifier can be used for thermal stabilization of the analytes or to improve the matrix mineralization. The vapours produced during the vaporization step are transferred into the plasma by argon carrier gas. 

In electrothermal atomization methods, the microcomputer also controls the furnace temperature, a key factor for this technique. Guevremont and Whitman used a microcomputer based on a Z80 microprocessor for the automatic control and data acquisition from a graphite furnace [13] they could heat the furnace from 0 to 2500 C In about 3 s, with an approximate gain In precision of 50% under the control of the microprocessor. The system Is shown schematically In Fig. 10.9. The automatic functions afforded are data acquisition, measurement of the furnace temperature and calibration, temperature programming, control of the gas flow, control of the sampler and delivery of results. 

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