What is atomic emission spectroscopy / AES?

The AES procedure

We at Fink & Partner have made it our goal to be a solid and reliable basis for your data and results with our LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) for all common measurement procedures. It is not only about an uncomplicated input of the measurement data and results. Clear administration and further processing also play a central role. After all, you want all your measurement data and information to be available and accessible anytime and anywhere – a technological requirement that can be met with little effort today with the [FP]-LIMS.

In atomic emission spectroscopy (AES) in particular, accurate information acquisition is particularly important. Quantitative and qualitative aspects of solid, liquid or gaseous samples are recorded in this measuring procedure. The atoms of the sample are excited via an external energy supply and thus each individual atom emits characteristic electromagnetic radiation which is recorded in a spectrum. In this way, the exact composition of a sample can be examined and analyzed with very high precision and accuracy. Since these are very sensitive data with important information, a meticulous and traceable flow of information is of great importance for smooth working with the measurement results of atomic emission spectroscopy.

The AES procedure

With the help of laser light, a flame, an arc or any other kind of high energy supply, the atoms of the sample are excited and transferred into the plasma state. The light emitted by the plasma of the sample is focused on the entrance slit of the monochromator. The light is then spectrally decomposed and photoelectrically detected. The resulting spectrum allows reliable conclusions about quantity and quality based on the position and intensity of the individual lines.

The common devices for atomic emission spectroscopy usually consist of three elements: An excitation source, a mono- or polychromator and a module for detection of the rays.

The great advantage of atomic emission spectroscopy is the visualization of the analysis results. The investigated properties of the sample are reflected optically and thus provide all important information regarding the quality and quantity of the individual atoms in the sample.

Advantages and applications of atomic emission spectroscopy.

The clear advantages of the AES lie clearly in a very large and dynamic measuring range and the multi-element technique. Thus, several elements can be qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed in a single measurement run. In addition, the AES offers very good long-term stability for, particularly large measurement series.

The principle of atomic emission spectroscopy is mainly used in trace analysis and water analysis. Trace analysis is only concerned with the detection of existing substances in very small quantities and their quantitative determination. Within the scope of water analysis, water samples are taken from groundwater, medicinal water, and spring water, for example, and examined for all residues and accumulations. However, atomic emission spectroscopy is also suitable for the reliable measurement of the elementary composition of a sample in almost all environmental analysis methods. Soils, waste, fertilizers or plants, among other things, are analyzed. However, AES is also suitable for the analysis of highly radioactive samples, as no interfering radioactivity is introduced into any part of the analyzer.

Cooperating suppliers

Our LIMS is compatible with a large number of well-known manufacturers in the industry. Due to years of experience and the high demand for ourselves, we have extended the compatibility of the software in the past years more and more. Among others, the devices of the following manufacturers are compatible with our [FP]-LIMS: Hitachi, Bruker, Spectro Ametek, ThermoFisher Scientific, Agilent Technologies, Analytik Jena, Horiba Scientific, Malvern Panalytical, Microtrac, PerkinElmer, Zwick Roell

What next steps do we propose?

Get to know the [FP]-LIMS today and ensure perfect clarity, central backup and archiving of your measurement data and fast and accurate visualization. This makes it possible to create a certificate at any time.

Simplicity, depth of detail and maximum user-friendliness – these values form the basis of our LIMS and make it your ideal companion in everyday laboratory work.

Atomic emission spectroscopy supported by FP-LIMS? Talk to us!