Inexpensive components Instead of the graphite or metal tube atomizers used in conventional systems, the new spectrometer uses tungsten coils. Typically manufactured in large quantities for commercial lamps, the coils are readily available and less expensive. The system uses a laser diode manufactured by LaserSpec Analytic in place of a hollow cathode lamp. Laser diodes have excellent spectroscopic and operational properties, and their radiation has a high spectral purity, small linewidth and high intensity. An added benefit is the ability to modulate the wavelength, which enables background correction.
Conventional systems require additional components to reduce noise.
Krivan's team tested the prototype by determining the saturation of chromium and aluminum in human blood serum. The absorption of the laser radiation was detected with an H5783 photomultiplier with built-in high voltage from Hamamatsu Photonics KK in Hamamatsu, Japan. Perkin-Elmer Corp. The only limitation with the prototype came from the laser diodes. Because commercially available diodes are limited to 630 to 1600 nm, elements that have absorption lines outside that range cannot be detected. LaserSpec, in collaboration with Krivan, is investigating developing a commercial system.