Intracavity laser atomic absorption spectrometry with graphite furnace atomizer or pulsed laser sampler

An absorption intracavity laser spectrometer with two types of sample vaporization systems (graphite furnace electrothermal atomizer or laser sampler) is described that can be used for the determination of trace amounts of metals (Al, Cr, Fe and Mn) in liquid samples and at the surface of solid targets. The limits of detection for the elements tested are lower than those obtained by modern conventional spectrometers. The examined technique provides a wide dynamic range of linear standard calibration curves.     

Stability and performance analysis of a block elimination solver for bordered linear systems

A new block elimination method for bordered systems is proposedand its numerical properties are analysed. In the case wherethe leading principal block is ill-conditioned or singular andthe method becomes unstable a perturbation approach is usedto enhance the stability. Results of experiments performed onthe SGI Power Challenge 8000 and on the Cray J-9x illustratethe performance of the new algorithm and compare it with thecurrent best approach. It is shown that the new method worksfaster while preserving stability.     

Synthesis of tungsten carbide nanopowder via submerged discharge method

Tungsten carbide nanopowder was prepared via pulsed discharge of bulk tungsten and graphite rods immersed in pure ethanol. The effect of discharge parameters on the characteristics of final products was investigated. Structural and morphological characterization of nanopowder was performed by means of X-ray diffraction analysis and transmission electron microscopy. In order to determine the feasibility of using synthesized material as an electrocatalyst, tungsten carbide nanopowder was tested for hydrogen evolution. A correlation was found between morphology of nanoparticles, their phase composition and electrocatalytic activity.     

Determination of cesium, manganese and terbium by intracavity laser spectroscopy

The statistical characteristics of the intracavity laser spectrometer are investigated by analysis of cesium in aqueous solutions. The error distribution of measurements is normal. The relative standard deviation of the analysis in the middle of the dynamic range is equal to 9.7%. The intracavity spectral analysis was carried out at low contents of cesium, manganese and terbium in aqueous solutions. The limits of detection are: 5 gl^-1 (Cs), 20 gl^-1 (Mn) and 1000 gl^-1 (Tb). Owing to the high spectral resolution of the spectrometer used the hyperfine structure of the thallium absorption line (535.05 nm) was recorded.