Sensitive Detection of Trace Elements in Pure Water by Laser-Induced Atomic Fluorescence Spectroscopy in Microwave Discharge Atomization

Sensitive detection of trace elements in pure water using laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectroscopy with a new flameless atomizer is reported. The atomizer is a combination of a microwaveinduced plasma in atmospheric helium and a filament vaporization system. A newly developed pulsed dye laser, which was rapidly and automatically accessible over a wide spectral range from 220 to 740 nm, was used as the laser source. Sixteen elements were analyzed by this system, and for most of these, the detection limit was less than 1 ng/mL, which was better than those obtained by flame LIF analysis. The analytical curve and the saturation curve were measured for each element, and various factors which affect the detection sensitivity are theoretically discussed.