Prospects in Analytical Atomic Spectrometry

Tendencies in five main branches of atomic spectrometry (absorption, emission, mass, fluorescence and ionization spectrometry) are considered. The first three techniques are the most widespread and universal, with the best sensitivity attributed to atomic mass spectrometry. In the direct elemental analysis of solid samples, the leading roles are now conquered by laser-induced breakdown and laser ablation mass spectrometry, and the related techniques with transfer of the laser ablation products into inductively-coupled plasma. Advances in design of diode lasers and optical parametric oscillators promote developments in fluorescence and ionization spectrometry and also in absorption techniques where uses of optical cavities for increased effective absorption pathlength are expected to expand. Prospects for analytical instrumentation are seen in higher productivity, portability, miniaturization, incorporation of advanced software, automated sample preparation and transition to the multifunctional modular architecture. Steady progress and growth in applications of plasma- and laser-based methods are observed. An interest towards the absolute (standardless) analysis has revived, particularly in the emission spectrometry.Comment: Proofread copy with an added full reference list of 279 citations. A pdf version of the final published review may be requested from Alexander Bol'shakov <[email protected]

Сравнительная характеристика единиц концентрации применительно к стандартным образцам для газохроматографического анализа углеводородных проб

Application of a method of absolute calibration relating to gas chromatography analysis of liquid hydrocarbon samples is considered. It is shown for this task that both from theoretical, and practical points of view the optimum concentration unit is mass (not molar) fraction. Information on average molar mass of the analyzed sample is necessary for the determination of analytes in liquid hydrocarbon samples in terms of mole fraction. Meanwhile, the normative documents of rather high rank (ASTM, ISO, GOST, GOST R) concerning methods of the determination of average molar weight of samples of such a kind are absent.Рассмотрено применение метода абсолютной градуировки применительно к анализу жидкого углеводородного сырья и продукции методом газовой хроматографии. Показано, что как с теоретической, так и с практической точки зрения при решении данной задачи оптимальными единицами концентраций являются массовые (а не молярные) доли. Для определения содержания компонентов в жидком углеводородном сырье и продукции в единицах молярной доли необходима информация о средней молярной массе анализируемого образца. Между тем нормативные документы достаточно высокого ранга (ASTM, ISO, ГОСТ, ГОСТ Р), регламентирующие методики определения средней молярной массы, отсутствуют

Analogues for the solution of boundary-value problems

Analogues for the Solution of Boundary-Value Problem