Atomic absorption spectrometer

Atomic absorption spectrometer comprising

• (a) a line emitting first light source (16),
• (b) an optical system (20, 22, 28, 30, 34) for generating a measuring light beam from said first light source which passes through a sample cavity in a predetermined direction for impinging on a photoelectric detector (38),
• (c) an atomizing device (14) arranged in the sample cavity for atomizing a sample such that the sample constituents are present in the atomic state in an atomizing area passed through by the measuring light beam,
• (d) a continuum emitting second light source (70) from which a light beam (72) originates for background correction,
• (e) a beam splitter (74) for reflecting, through the atomizing area and as a reference beam, the light beam originating from the second light source (70),
• (f) switching means for alternatingly switching on the two light sources (16, 70),
• (g) a Zeeman arrangement for background correction including an solenoid,
• (h) the solenoid being associated with the atomizing device for producing, in the atomizing area, a magnetic field extending substantially parallel to the predetermined direction of the measuring light beam and displacing the absorption lines of the sample atoms relative to the lines emitted by the first light source, due to the longitudinal Zeeman effect,
• (i) magnet control means for switching on and off the solenoid,
• (j) said beam splitter being movable into a moved-in operative position, in which the reference beam is directed through the atomizing area, and a moved-out inoperative position, and
• (k) the beam splitter and the solenoid constituting parts of alternative background correction means having selectively placed either (i) the beam splitter into the moved-in operative position and the solenoid into a switched-off deenergized condition or (ii) the beam splitter into the moved-out inoperative position and the solenoid into a switched-on energized condition.