Working Principle of Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS)

Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) determines the presence of metals in liquid samples. Metals include Fe, Cu, Al, Pb, Ca, Zn, Cd and many more. It also measures concentration of metals in the sample. Typical concentration range in the low mg/L. In their elemental form, metals will absorb ultraviolet light when they are excited by heat. Each metal has characteristic wavelength that will be absorbed. The AAS instrument looks for a particular metal by focusing a beam of ultraviolet (UV) light at a specific wavelength through a flame and eventually detected by a detector. Read more