1
An Introduction of
AAS Background Correction
Shimadzu
Sales training for Analytical instruments 2003
2
AAS Background Correction
• Explanation of AAS Background
• Self-Reversal method
• Deuterium Lamp (D2) method
• Zeeman method
• Comparison of these background cor
rection methods
3
What is Background ?
Two main causes of background
absorption:
1. Molecular absorption, scattering of particles
2. Spectral interference
4
Molecular Absorption
• NOT all substances are atomized in the
flame or furnace unit .
• These residual particles or molecules
may scatter or absorb the light.
• This causes background, inhibiting
accurate analysis.
• Molecular absorption : wide wavelength
range.
5
Molecular Absorption Example
• Example:alkali halides
• NaCl exhibits a wide conti
nuous absorption spectru
m between 220 and 280n
m
• Cd (228.8nm),
Ni (232.0nm),
Co (240.7nm),
Fe (248.4nm) and
Fig.1 Molecular absorption due to alkali halides
Pb (283.3nm) are affected
6
Spectral Interference
• Interfering elements has their
absorption lines at the very vicinity of
the analytical line of the target element.
• Spectral interference : extremely narrow
wavelength range.
7
Elements and Their Absorption
Wavelengths
Target Element Analytical Line (nm) Interfering Element Absorption Line
(nm)
Al 309.28 Mg 309.30
As 193.76 Fe 193.73
Ca 422.67 Fe 422.64
Cd 228.80 Ni 228.84
Cu 324.75 Fe 324.73
Ga 294.36 Ni 294.39
Mg 285.21 Fe 285.18
Ni 232.00 Fe 232.04
Pb 217.00 Fe 216.95
Sb 217.58 Fe 217.55
Se 196.03 Fe 196.05
Si 251.61 Fe 251.69
Zn 213.856 Fe 213.859
8
Spectral Interference Example
• Typical examples is the analysis of
trace amounts of Zn(213.86nm) or
Se(196.03nm) in steel (Fe) samples.
Emission spectrum of the lamp
Absorption spectrum
of the Fe
Absorption spectrum of
the target element (ex.
Zn , Se etc.)
Wave length
Influenced by the absorption of
the Fe line
9
For Accurate quantitation…
• For accurate quantitation, adequate corr
ection of the background is essential.
• Two main causes of background absorp
tion are molecular absorption and spectr
al interference.
• The following section describes the met
hods of correction.
10
Self-Reversal Method
11
What is Self Reversal?
Normal line spectrum
10mA current
Emission spectrum
Greater light
intensity
More current
The width of the spectrum
also increases
Split emission
Much Spectrum
More current =Self Reversal
12
Self-Reversal state
This part is affected by self-
absorption, and the emission
spectrum becomes indented at
the center.
Emission spectrum
13
How SR method corrects
the Molecular absorption
B C
D
E F G
14
How SR method corrects
the Spectral interference
Lamp : Normal line spectrum Lamp : S-R line spectrum
Absorption Absorption
spectrum of the spectrum of the
neighboring line neighboring line
Emission
Emission
spectrum at a
spectrum at a
high current
low current
Absorption Absorption
spectrum of the spectrum of the
target element target element
Influenced by the absorption of Absorption by the Slight absorption by
the neighboring line neighboring line the target element
15
Features of SR correction method
• Possible over the entire wavelength range from 190
to 900nm
• Uses a single lamp = Precise correction
• No polarizer = No light loss
• Can correct both Molecular absorption and
Spectral interference background
16
Deuterium Lamp (D2)
Method
17
How D2 method corrects
the Molecular absorption
• D2 Lamp light – for measuring Molecular absorption
• Hollow-cathode Lamp light – for Atomic Absorption
18
Features of D2 method
• High sensitivity – Better than SR method
• Higher illumination frequency – Accurate
measurement
• Conventional hollow-cathode lamp can be
used
• Limited wavelength range : 190nm – 430nm
• Can correct molecular absorption background
only
• Suited for relatively simple matrices
19
Zeeman method
20
Features of Zeeman method
• Abnormal Zeeman splitting patterns - Reduction in ab
sorption sensitivity
• Difficult maintenance due to the heavy magnet
• Large light loss due to the polarizer (Up to 70%)
Big and Heavy!
70% light loss!
Atomizing here!
21
How Zeeman method works
• When magnets are placed in the sample atomizer, th
e target element absorbs the light parallel to the mag
netic field ( components), while the background com
ponents only absorb light that is perpendicular to the
magnetic field ( components).
22
Reduction in absorption
sensitivity
• Abnormal Zeeman splitting patterns
Sensitivity
decreases
Abormal Zeeman Split
Normal Zeeman Split
23
Large light loss due to the polarizer
Sensitivity comparison for the SR and
polarizer Zeeman methods
Element Wavelength Sensitivity Ratio (SR/ Zeeman)
Ag 328.1 1.79
Au 242.8 1.09
Cr 357.9 1.52
Cu 324.8 1.35
K 766.5 1.86
Li 670.7 1
Mg 285.2 0.63
Mn 279.5 1.21
Mo 313.3 2.14
Na 589 1.31
Ni 232 0.85
Pb 283.3 0.72
Sb 217.6 1
Se 196 1.07
Zn 213.8 0.72
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Comparison of various
background correction methods
D2 Lamp SR Zeeman
Wavelength range (nm) 190 to 430 190 to 900 190 to 900
Correction of molecular
absorption Yes Yes Yes
Correction of spectral
interference No Yes Yes
Sensitivity Good Poor Poor
Light intensity Good Good Poor
Equipment configuration D2 lamp SR-capable HCL Polarizer, magnet
Optical axis adjustment Necessary Not required Not required
Versatility of atomizer Good Good Poor
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Conclusions
• None of the D2, SR or Zeeman method itself is the p
erfect correction method
• The combination of the D2 and SR methods is best
(D2 and Zeeman combination is not good.
Because; Polarizer and magnet sacrifices the advant
ages of the D2 method )
- The AA-6800 and AA-6300 systems are equipped as standard with
the optimal combination of the D2 and SR methods.
- The hollow cathode lamp (L-2433) designed for the SR method is
also capable of the D2 method
26
Thank you
