Method and device for processing two-dimensional optical spectra

A method of processing a two-dimensional optical spectrum image comprising sections having a relatively high intensity separated by borders having a relatively low intensity, the method comprising:

• digitizing the two-dimensional optical spectrum image from an analyte using a two-dimensional array detector,
• applying a total variation denoising algorithm to the two-dimensional optical spectrum image to produce a denoised two-dimensional optical spectrum image, wherein the total variation denoising algorithm substantially preserves image detail while reducing noise,
• searching the denoised two-dimensional optical spectrum image for at least one series of neighboring local extrema of the two-dimensional optical spectrum image,
• fitting a line through each series of the neighboring local extrema, each line representing a section,
• identifying a plurality of peaks and their respective locations,
• storing the lines and the locations of the peaks as a template for the analyte, and
• using the template to analyze an analytical atomic spectrometry measurement of an analyte.