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Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Overview

Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Overview

Atomic emission spectroscopy (AES) is an analytical technique used to determine the elemental composition of a sample by analyzing the light emitted from excited atoms. In AES, atoms in a sample are excited to higher energy levels by thermal energy from high-temperature sources, such as plasma, arcs, or sparks. When these excited atoms return to lower energy states, they emit light at specific wavelengths characteristic of each element. The resulting atomic emission spectrum, which consists of...

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Atomic spectroscopy is a vital tool in elemental analysis, both qualitatively and quantitatively. It can be broadly divided into optical spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, and X-ray spectroscopy methods. The optical spectroscopic methods are atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), atomic emission spectroscopy (AES), and atomic fluorescence spectroscopy (AFS). The first step in all three methods is atomization, where the solid, liquid, or solution-phase samples are converted into gas-phase atoms and...

Scanning Electron Microscopy

Scanning Electron Microscopy

A scanning electron microscope (SEM) is used to study the surface features of a sample by using an electron beam that scans the sample surface in a two-dimensional manner. Typically, areas between ~1 centimeter to 5 micrometers in width can be imaged. SEM can be used to image bacteria, viruses, tissues as well as larger samples like insects. Conventional SEM gives a magnification ranging from 20X to 30,000X and spatial resolution of 50 to 100 nanometers.
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Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Lab

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AES is a powerful analytical technique, especially effective when used with plasma sources, producing abundant spectra in characteristic emission lines. The Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP), in particular, yields superior quantitative analytical data due to its high stability, low noise, low background, and minimal interferences under optimal experimental conditions. However, newer air-operated microwave sources are emerging as promising alternatives that could be more cost-effective than...

Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Instrumentation

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The instrumentation of atomic emission spectrometry (AES) involves various components, including atomization devices that convert samples into gas-phase atoms and ions. There are two main types of atomization devices: continuous and discrete atomizers. Continuous atomizers, like plasmas and flames, introduce samples in a constant stream, while discrete atomizers inject individual samples using syringes or autosamplers. The most common discrete atomizer is the electrothermal atomizer.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Photoelectron Imaging of Anions Illustrated by 310 Nm Detachment of F−

Photoelectron Imaging of Anions Illustrated by 310 Nm Detachment of F⁻

Published on: July 27, 2018

Visualizing and identifying single atoms using electron energy-loss spectroscopy with low accelerating voltage.

Kazu Suenaga¹, Yuta Sato, Zheng Liu

¹National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba 305-8565, Japan. suenaga-kazu@aist.go.jp

Nature Chemistry

|March 8, 2011

Summary

Electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) now enables single-atom analysis in metallofullerenes without significant sample damage. This breakthrough allows for the identification and discrimination of individual atoms within nanostructures.

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Nanotechnology
Spectroscopy

Background:

Distinguishing individual atoms is crucial for many analytical techniques.
Electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) is a powerful tool for atomic analysis.
Specimen damage from high-energy electrons has limited EELS for single-atom analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

To demonstrate EELS single-atom spectroscopy on metallofullerene-doped nanotubes (peapods).
To achieve atomic analysis without causing substantial structural damage to the specimen.
To identify and differentiate single atoms, including those with adjacent atomic numbers.

Main Methods:

Utilized electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS).
Employed a low accelerating voltage (60 kV) electron probe.
Analyzed metallofullerene-doped single-wall nanotubes (peapods) containing various single atoms.

Main Results:

Successfully performed EELS single-atom spectroscopy on peapods with minimal structural damage.
Unambiguously identified single calcium atoms within the peapods.
Demonstrated elemental analysis and discrimination of lanthanum, cerium, and erbium atoms.

Conclusions:

Low-voltage EELS is effective for non-destructive single-atom spectroscopy in nanostructures.
The technique allows for the identification of individual atoms, including those with close atomic numbers.
This advancement opens new possibilities for analyzing atomic composition at the single-atom level.