Roll-over of analytical curves in atomic absorption spectrometry arising from background correction with pulsed hollow-cathode lamps

A theoretical analysis of background correction systems in atomic absorption spectrometry reveals the interdependence of three phenomena: analytical sensitivity, roll-over of the analytical curve, and wavelength proximity of the background correction. The deuterium lamp system sacrifices wavelength proximity and the Zeeman technique is subject to roll-over. For the newly introduced correction technique using pulsed hollow-cathode lamps roll-over has also been observed, although the effect is reduced by sacrifices of both wavelength proximity and analytical sensitivity.