Continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry

An apparatus for atomic absorption analysis, comprising:

• means for atomizing a sample to be analyzed;
• continuum light source means for illuminating said atomized sample with intensities from about 180 to about 800 nm;
• light dispersing means;
• light directing means for directing light from said continuum light source means through an atomized sample and into said light dispersing means onto a focal plane of said light dispersing means, thereby providing images each having an image width;
• integrating array detector means, located at said focal plane of said light dispersing means, for integrating with respect to time the amount of light incident on said integrating array detector means and for converting the incident light into amplified electrical signals proportional to the integrated intensities of the incident light, said integrating array detector means spanning a small wavelength region of about 4 to about 10 times a said image width;
• means for blocking said incident light from striking said detector means;
• control means, operably associated with said means for blocking and said integrating array detector means, for controlling said means for blocking and for signaling said integrating array detector means to readout and for receiving from said integrating array detector means readout which is amplified electrical signals proportional to said integrated intensities, while incident light is blocked from striking said detector means;
• deriving means, operably associated with said integrating array detector means, for deriving from said amplified electrical signals a value, proportional to concentration, and independent of intensity, and;
• wherein said means for blocking and said control means function to provide their respective functions at a rate of at least 40 times per second.