Patent ID: 7167238

Claim:
An atomic absorption spectroscopy method comprising: separating quasi-monochromatic radiation into a first test beam and a first reference beam; directing the first test beam to a test area wherein the first test beam interacts with an atomized material sample for analysis of the sample; spatially segregating the first test beam and the first reference beam by directing the first test beam and the first reference beam through spatially segregated apertures; spectrally isolating a segment of the first test beam; spectrally isolating a segment of the first reference beam; separating non-monochromatic radiation into a second test beam and a second reference beam; directing the second test beam to the test area wherein the second test beam interacts with an atomized material sample for analysis of the sample; spatially segregating the second test beam and the second reference beam; spectrally isolating a segment of the second test beam; spectrally isolating a segment of the second reference beam; interrupting the first test beam or first reference beam for measuring a single beam through a detector.