Use of a filter in atomic-fluorescence spectroscopy

A detecting system incorporating an interference filter is described for use in atomic-fluorescence spectroscopy analysis in the 200.0-300.0 nm spectral region. Results obtained by using this system are compared with those from a detecting system incorporating either a monochromator or a solar-blind photomultiplier. Improvements of approximately 700-fold and 10-fold respectively in the limits of detection for zinc and mercury result from replacing the monochromator with the filter, while results with the filter are similar to those from a solar-blind photomultiplier. Limits of detection of 10(-5) ppm for zinc and 2.5 x 10(-4) ppm for mercury, both in aqueous solutions aspirated into an air-town-gas flame, are an improvement on other published results for these elements, obtained by atomic-fluorescence flame spectroscopy.