Adaptation of an existing algorithm for automated continuum correction in inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry using a photodiode array detector

The use of a photodiode array as a multichannel detector for off-line continuum correction in inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry(ICP-AES)is demonstrated. The photodiode array allows concurrent data acquisition of all reference wavelengths necessary for the calculation of the background. An existing background correction algorithm that selects reference channels by a statistical criterion is modified for use with the photodiode array. The influence of several parameters on the performance of the algorithm is investigated with spectra derived from the photodiode array and from a conventional photomultiplier based system. It is shown that with either system background correction can be performed completely automated and sample adapted.