What is atomic fluorescence spectroscopy AFS and how does FP-LIMS support laboratory software?

Reliability, accuracy, and clarity – these three values make up our LIMS. Nowadays almost all measurements and analyses take place almost exclusively digitally. A clipboard with manual notes would be unthinkable today: unreliable, inaccurate, unsafe. Instead, a central and secure recording of all data into your in-house [FP]-LIMS is worthwhile. This allows you to access all your measurement data quickly and reliably, process it further, make it available for export, give customers access to it or visualize it for an upcoming report. The possibilities for efficient work are almost limitless and offer you an extraordinarily high degree of flexibility in your everyday life.

And above all, the wide range of analysis methods results in a very high volume of data with aspects and measurement data that are of essential importance. This is also the case with atomic fluorescence spectroscopy, a very special analytical method with a wide range of possible applications.

Procedure of atomic fluorescence spectroscopy (AFS)

At AFS, the optical emission of the substances to be analyzed is measured and mapped. In this way, both quantitative and qualitative conclusions can be drawn from the analysts.

The analysis of solutions or solids using AFS requires atomization, evaporation or dissolution of the analyte. This is usually done in a flame or graphite furnace or in a heat pipe. This atomic cloud is then brought to a higher energy state by the absorption of electromagnetic radiation such as photons. The atoms are excited by a hollow cathode lamp or by a laser.

Now the atoms fluoresce, but this state lasts only for the duration of the irradiation and usually ends within one-millionth of a second after the end of the irradiation. This fluorescence is a form of cold glow. This means that there is no emission of heat energy, as is the case when a flame or glow wire glows. In direct comparison to atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), atomic fluorescence spectroscopy offers a much higher sensitivity, which is due to the lower background noise. In addition to quantity, properties of the electronic structure of the atoms can also be determined. Similar to atomic emission spectroscopy, optical emissions are detected by monochromators and photomultipliers.

Applications of atomic fluorescence spectroscopy

Atomic spectroscopic methods for analysis provide qualitative and quantitative information about the analyte. This analytical method is used in all possible areas of industry, medicine, and science. Whether for soil samples, water analyses, medical research or for the simple detection of trace elements in rock samples during the mining of rock: Atomic fluorescence spectroscopy quickly and reliably provides the correct and reliable information about any traces present and their quantity.

Cooperating providers

Our laboratory software [FP]-LIMS is compatible with a large number of well-known manufacturers in the industry. Due to years of experience and the high demands on 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, etc.

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. Especially with such fast and detailed analysis methods, many different measurement results come together – so that you don’t lose track here, we come back to the three values: simplicity, depth of detail, and maximum user-friendliness. The [FP]-LIMS makes it easy to combine, compare and display measurement results and other data from many different measurement processes using different measurement methods. You benefit not only from a central collection and classification point for all your data but also from an intelligent system that gets the most out of your data. This makes the [FP]-LIMS your ideal companion in everyday laboratory work.