"Background Correction in Atomic Absorption Utilizing the Zeeman Effect"
Please read this paper for in-class discussion on 10/29/2012.
Discussion Questions:
1. Why is background correction so important when using a furnace as the atomizer?
2. What is meant in the statement, "...possibility of inaccurate correction if the background is structured..."? Why is a continuum source background correction insufficient in this case?
3. The authors state that one of their goals in this work is to "... indicate how implementation of the Zeeman effect influences such factors as sensitivity and analytical range for many of the commonly determined elements." Summarize their results related to this goal.
4. Are the sensitivity trends the same for normal and anomalous Zeeman splitting? Why or why not?
5. Why does hyperfine structure (splitting of different J values) influence Zeeman corrected sensitivity?
6. Why is the artificial seawater sample matrix so disadvantageous when using continuum source background correction? Why is the Zeeman corrected spectrum improved?
7. What is the role of the monochromator's spectral bandpass in both continuum source and Zeeman corrected AA spectra?
8. Compare and contrast the three methods used to perform Zeeman correction: DC magnet around the atomizer, AC magnet around the atomizer, and DC magnet around the hollow cathode lamp.