Reduction of temperature variation in the atomic absorption graphite furnace

The temperature variation that is experienced along the length of the graphite furnace tube of the Massmann design can be reduced by the use of a contoured tube. An analytical model of the steady-state temperature distribution along the graphite tube has been developed and has been shown to agree quite well with experimental data. Steady-state and time-dependent measurements along the length of the graphite tube are reported for different conditions. With conventional tubes at thermal equilibrium, there is a temperature difference exceeding 1000°C between the center and the ends when the center of the tube is at 2500°C. With a contoured tube this temperature gradient has been reduced to 100°C.