‘Intelligent’ triggering methodology for improved detectability of wavelength modulation diode laser absorption spectrometry applied to window-equipped graphite furnaces

The wavelength modulation-diode laser absorption spectrometry (WM-DLAS) technique experiences a limited detectability when window-equipped sample compartments are used because of multiple reflections between components in the optical system (so-called etalon effects). The problem is particularly severe when the technique is used with a window-equipped graphite furnace (GF) as atomizer since the heating of the furnace induces drifts of the thickness of the windows and thereby also of the background signals. This paper presents a new detection methodology for WM-DLAS applied to a window-equipped GF in which the influence of the background signals from the windows is significantly reduced. The new technique, which is based upon a finding that the WM-DLAS background signals from a window-equipped GF are reproducible over a considerable period of time, consists of a novel ‘intelligent’ triggering procedure in which the GF is triggered at a user-chosen ‘position’ in the reproducible drift-cycle of the WM-DLAS background signal. The new methodology makes also use of ‘higher-than-normal’ detection harmonics, i.e. 4f or 6f, since these previously have shown to have a higher signal-to-background ratio than 2f-detection when the background signals originates from thin etalons. The results show that this new combined background-drift-reducing methodology improves the limit of detection of the WM-DLAS technique used with a window-equipped GF by several orders of magnitude as compared to ordinary 2f-detection, resulting in a limit of detection for a window-equipped GF that is similar to that of an open GF.