Atomic absorption studies of CO₂, laser-induced atomization of samples confined in a graphite furnace

A pulsed infrared CO₂ laser has been used to produce atomization for analysis by atomic absorption. The solid sample is contained in a tubular graphite furnace, enabling control of the initial temperature and confinement of the atomic plume within the monitoring light beam. Silver-copper alloys yield transient laser-induced silver atomic absorption signals of approximately 10 ms duration, from which quantitative analysis may be made. Interferences due to non-selective absorption are entirely absent.