Instrumentation for Emission Spectroscopy

A number of electrical excitation-sources are available for emission spectroscopy. In most commercial spectrochemical instruments, more than one excitation source is contained in a single power-supply cabinet a typical combination may include a spark, a direct-current arc, and an alternating-current arc. A list of the various electrical excitation-sources, some of their characteristics, their approximate cost and the types of samples generally required is given in Table 11.1. Because of the actual or potential widespread use in emission spectroscopy, only the arc, spark, and inductively coupled plasma discharges will be described here in detail. 

The ICP/MS is an elemental and isotopic analysis method that was first developed in the early 1980s. The ICP had been used only as a source for emission spectroscopy until it was adapted for producing ions for a mass analyzer (Douglas and French, 1981 Houk et al., 1980 Houk et al., 1981 Houk and Thompson, 1982). Since 1983, several manufacturers have sold ICP/MS instruments that incorporate various mass analyzer systems, such as quadrupole mass filter, magnetic sector field, time-of-flight, Paul ion trap, and ion detection systems such as the electron... 

Only in the case of some alkali metals which have some few widely spaced resonance lines across the visible spectrum, may this be achieved by simple filter monochromators. For the determination of most elements, however, high quality UV/VIS monochromators are required that are capable of achieving a spectral bandwith of the order of 0.1 nm. Such monochromators are nowadays implemented in most commercial AA instruments. The optical components used (particularly, monochromators and detectors) are very similar to those used for emission spectroscopy and will be discussed in more detail later. 

Vibrational Spectroscopy. Infrared absorption spectra may be obtained using convention IR or FTIR instrumentation the catalyst may be present as a compressed disk, allowing transmission spectroscopy. If the surface area is high, there can be enough chemisorbed species for their spectra to be recorded. This approach is widely used to follow actual catalyzed reactions see, for example. Refs. 26 (metal oxide catalysts) and 27 (zeolitic catalysts). Diffuse reflectance infrared reflection spectroscopy (DRIFT S) may be used on films [e.g.. Ref. 28—Si02 films on Mo(llO)]. Laser Raman spectroscopy (e.g.. Refs. 29, 30) and infrared emission spectroscopy may give greater detail [31]. 

There are two fimdamental types of spectroscopic studies absorption and emission. In absorption spectroscopy an atom or molecule in a low-lying electronic state, usually the ground state, absorbs a photon to go to a higher state. In emission spectroscopy the atom or molecule is produced in a higher electronic state by some excitation process, and emits a photon in going to a lower state. In this section we will consider the traditional instrumentation for studying the resulting spectra. They define the quantities measured and set the standard for experimental data to be considered. 

In principle, emission spectroscopy can be applied to both atoms and molecules. Molecular infrared emission, or blackbody radiation played an important role in the early development of quantum mechanics and has been used for the analysis of hot gases generated by flames and rocket exhausts. Although the availability of FT-IR instrumentation extended the application of IR emission spectroscopy to a wider array of samples, its applications remain limited. For this reason IR emission is not considered further in this text. Molecular UV/Vis emission spectroscopy is of little importance since the thermal energies needed for excitation generally result in the sample s decomposition. 

Because light emitted from inductively coupled plasma torches is characteristic of the elements present, the torches were originally introduced for instruments that optically measured the frequencies and intensities of the emitted light and used them, rather than ions, to estimate the amounts and types of elements present (inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. 

Instrumental Quantitative Analysis. Methods such as x-ray spectroscopy, oaes, and naa do not necessarily require pretreatment of samples to soluble forms. Only reUable and verified standards are needed. Other instmmental methods that can be used to determine a wide range of chromium concentrations are atomic absorption spectroscopy (aas), flame photometry, icap-aes, and direct current plasma—atomic emission spectroscopy (dcp-aes). These methods caimot distinguish the oxidation states of chromium, and speciation at trace levels usually requires a previous wet-chemical separation. However, the instmmental methods are preferred over (3)-diphenylcarbazide for trace chromium concentrations, because of the difficulty of oxidizing very small quantities of Cr(III). 

With flame emission spectroscopy, there is greater likelihood of spectral interferences when the line emission of the element to be determined and those due to interfering substances are of similar wavelength, than with atomic absorption spectroscopy. Obviously some of such interferences may be eliminated by improved resolution of the instrument, e.g. by use of a prism rather than a filter, but in certain cases it may be necessary to select other, non-interfering, lines for the determination. In some cases it may even be necessary to separate the element to be determined from interfering elements by a separation process such as ion exchange or solvent extraction (see Chapters 6, 7). 

Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry Basic Concepts, Instrumental Aspects, Applications and Trends. By A. Benninghoven, F. G. Ruenauer, and H.W.Werner Analytical Applications of Lasers. Edited by Edward H. Piepmeier Applied Geochemical Analysis. By C. O. Ingamells and F. F. Pitard Detectors for Liquid Chromatography. Edited by Edward S.Yeung Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectroscopy Part 1 Methodology, Instrumentation, and Performance Part II Applications and Fundamentals. Edited by J. M. Boumans... 

When the problem has been defined and needed background information has been studied, it is time to consider which analytical methods will provide the data you need to solve the problem. In selecting techniques, you can refer back to the other chapters in this book. For example, if you want to measure the three heavy metals (Co, Fe, and Ni) that were suspect in the Bulging Drum Problem, you might immediately think of atomic absorption or inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopies and reread Chapter 8 of this book. How would you choose between them Which would be more accurate More precise Does your lab have both instruments Are they both in working order What if you have neither of them What sample preparation would be needed ... 

An introductory manual that explains the basic concepts of chemistry behind scientific analytical techniques and that reviews their application to archaeology. It explains key terminology, outlines the procedures to be followed in order to produce good data, and describes the function of the basic instrumentation required to carry out those procedures. The manual contains chapters on the basic chemistry and physics necessary to understand the techniques used in analytical chemistry, with more detailed chapters on atomic absorption, inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy, neutron activation analysis, X-ray fluorescence, electron microscopy, infrared and Raman spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. Each chapter describes the operation of the instruments, some hints on the practicalities, and a review of the application of the technique to archaeology, including some case studies. With guides to further reading on the topic, it is an essential tool for practitioners, researchers, and advanced students alike. 

Measurements of the intensity and wavelength of radiation that is either absorbed or emitted provide the basis for sensitive methods of detection and quantitation. Absorption spectroscopy is most frequently used in the quantitation of molecules but is also an important technique in the quantitation of some atoms. Emission spectroscopy covers several techniques that involve the emission of radiation by either atoms or molecules but vary in the manner in which the emission is induced. Photometry is the measurement of the intensity of radiation and is probably the most commonly used technique in biochemistry. In order to use photometric instruments correctly and to be able to develop and modify spectroscopic techniques it is necessary to understand the principles of the interaction of radiation with matter. 

Atomic emission spectroscopy is one of the oldest instrumental techniques used for chemical analysis. It is used to study the transitions between electronic energy levels in atoms or ions. These energy differences are usually in the visible region (400-700 nm) of the electromagnetic spectrum, but if the energy difference is larger, then the transitions may lie in the ultraviolet region. 

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