Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 25, 2026

Quantitative Analysis of Vacuum Induction Melting by Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy
Published on: June 10, 2019
Sub-parts-per-quadrillion-level graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry based on laser wave mixing
Fritz K Mickadeit1, Sandrine Berniolles, Helen R Kemp
1Department of Chemistry, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92182, USA.
Abstract:
Nonlinear laser wave mixing in a common graphite furnace atomizer is presented as a zeptomole-level, sub-Doppler, high-resolution atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. A nonplanar three-dimensional wave-mixing optical setup is used to generate the signal beam in its own space. Signal collection is efficient and convenient using a template-based optical alignment. The graphite furnace atomizer offers advantages including fast and convenient introduction of solid, liquid, or gas analytes, clean atomization environment, and minimum background noise. Taking advantage of the unique features of the wave-mixing optical method and those of the graphite furnace atomizer, one can obtain both excellent spectral resolution and detection sensitivity. A preliminary concentration detection limit of 0.07 parts-per-quadrillion and a preliminary mass detection limit of 0.7 ag or 8 zmol are determined for rubidium using a compact laser diode as the excitation source.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Instrumentation
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Lab
Solutions containing organic solvents, such as low-molecular-mass alcohols, esters, or ketones, enhance absorbances by increasing nebulizer...
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Atomization Methods
Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Lab
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Instrumentation
The atomizer used in AAS can be either a flame atomizer or an...
Atomic Spectroscopy: Absorption, Emission, and Fluorescence

