Calibration and curve fitting for extended range AAS

Several curve fitting methods, including linear, quadratic, and rational least squares fits and linear, cubic spline, and Stineman interpolations, are evaluated for their ability to fit highly nonlinear atomic absorption analytical calibration curves. In addition, the number of standards required to effectively calibrate a dynamic range covering 3 orders of magnitude of concentration is determined. Finally, the concentration ranges providing minimum relative concentration precision (RCP) are identified and the slopes of the calibration curves in these ranges are noted. Concentration ranges of minimum RCP also provide minimum curve fitting errors and generally have log-log slopes of approximately 0.5 indicating that linearity alone is not a sufficient criterion for choosing suitable calibration and curve fitting concentration ranges.