Atomizer for atomic absorption spectroscopy

Abstract

The atomizer of the present invention serves for generating free atoms and an atomic cloud by heating a sample for analysis. The device includes a preferably tubular cuvette for receiving the sample, and the cuvette consists either of a basic body of carbon, which is enveloped by a pyrolytic graphite layer, or only of pyrolytic graphite layers. An electric supply unit for Joule heating the cuvette is in contact with the cuvette by contact members. In order to achieve a radial temperature distribution in the cuvette such that the inner wall of the cuvette is at an essentially higher temperature than the outer wall of the cuvette, the contact surfaces of the cuvette and the contact surfaces of the contact members contact each other in such a manner that the electric current applied during operation of the atomizer preferably flows through the inner wall of the cuvette.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.