Spectral interference in atomic absorption

The resolution and selectivity in ICP emission comes primarily from the monochromator. As a result, a high-resolution monochromator can isolate the analyte spectral line from lines of concomitants and background emission. It can thus reduce spectral interferences. In atomic absorption spectrometry, the resolution comes primarily from the very narrow hollow cathode lamp emission. The monochromator must only isolate the emission line of the analyte element from lines of impurities and the fill gas, and from background emission from the atomizer. A much lower resolution is needed for this puipose. 

Theoretically, spectral interferences in atomic absorption can occur in three ways. 

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