Pittcon Review, Appendix II: Atomic Spectroscopy
Additional information from the atomic spectroscopy section of the Pittcon Review article.
Manufacturer: Arjae Spectral
Product name: Sensei
atomic emission spectrometer
For: Laboratory analysis
New this year: Incorporates a high-throughput virtual slit (HTVS) allowing higher spectral resolution and higher throughput simultaneously.
Features: Large input aperture plus special optics compresses, reformats and expands the light beam, narrowing the input aperture along the dispersion axis. 15X better throughput
Measurement modes: Transmission and reflection
Suggested applications: Research instrument for use in all applications
Unique features: Eliminates the conventional "slit" of the spectrometer
Manufacturer: Arjae Spectral
Product name: SHEER
atomic absorption spectrometer
For: Laboratory analysis
New this year: Arjae's compact core spectrometer, slimmed down. Throughput increases of 15X or more are realistic.
Measurement mode: Transmission, reflection
Suggested applications: SHEER is a compact spectrometer scaled to simplify integration with other systems. High performance combined with small size.
Primary benefits: 15X higher throughput
Unique features: Eliminates the conventional "slit" of the spectrometer
Manufacturer: Buck Scientific
Product name: 230ATS automated touch screen atomic absorption spectrometer
Atomic absorption spectrometer for trace metals analysis
For: Laboratory analysis
New this year: New firmware on a Linux-based tablet computer, automated wavelength and slit selection, hideaway keyboard, four front-facing USB ports.
Accessory/component: Graphite furnace, autosampler
Special features: In-line background correction, greater energy throughput due to single-beam optics.
Suggested applications: Trace metals in aqueous samples
Manufacturer: Cetac Technologies
Product name: QuickTrace M-7600 mercury analyzer
Cold vapor atomic spectroscopy (CVAA) mercury analyzer
For: Laboratory analysis
Measurement mode: Absorbance
Special features: Ethernet communication, real-time streaming of ultratrace data, 21CFR11 compliant
Suggested applications: Mercury analyzer for ultratrace to sub-ppm mercury quantitation. Routine use in a variety of settings, for virtually any aqueous acidified sample.
Primary benefits: Wide dynamic range, fast results. Includes built-in support for standard methods.
Unique features: Ultratrace detection limits less than 0.5 ppt in under 2.5 min, utilizing less than 25 mL of sample.
Manufacturer: OBLF (PANalytical is the exclusive U.S. distributor)
Product name: OBLF GS 1000-II
Spark AES spectrometer (OES spectrometer)
For: Laboratory analysis
New this year: A dual counter electrode spark stand and "use of light breaks" (ULB) technology allows analysis in less than half the time needed previously
Suggested applications: Elemental analysis of metallic samples
Primary benefits: Speed of analysis
Unique features: Dual counter electrode self-cleaning spark stand capable of making two measurements without moving the sample
Manufacturer: PerkinElmer
Product name: Optima 8x00 Series ICP-OES spectrometers
ICP-OES spectrometers
For: Lab analysis
New this year: New flat plate plasma technology, new flat-plate RF generator.
Suggested applications: Environmental testing (EPA 200.7 metals in drinking water; toxic metals in soil, etc.), food/consumer product safety testing (metals content), pharmaceutical/nutraceutical testing (USP 232/233), new/used oil (wear metals).
Primary benefits: benchtop, dual-view ICP-OES spectrometers, delivering superior detection limits and true simultaneous measurements, using half the argon of traditional systems with no loss in performance.
Unique features: New plasma technology uses half the argon of traditional systems dramatically reducing operating costs, with no loss in performance
Manufacturer: PerkinElmer
Product name: PinAAcle 900 AA spectrometers
atomic absorption spectrometers
For: Lab analysis
New this year: Cutting-edge fiber optic technology, fully contained optical system, TubeView color furnace camera, different configurations, including: flameonly, furnaceonly, or stacked designs featuring both.
Suggested applications: Environmental testing (EPA 200.9 metals in drinking water), food safety testing (metals content), toxicology (blood lead), etc.
Primary benefits: Lowest detection limits on an AA instrument, Space-saving stacked design of flame/furnace combination
Manufacturer: Teledyne Leeman Labs
Product name: Hydra II
Cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometer (CVAAS) mercury analyzers
For: Lab analysis
New this year: An updated/revised version of the Hydra C combustion analyzer with improved specifications and more simplified operation
Measurement mode: Atomic absorption spectroscopy
Special features: Fully automated (sampler, combustion furnace, transfer of sample weight to software), combustion/catalyst tube can be replaced in minutes w/o tools, gold amalgamator concentrator for exceptional sensitivity, extended analysis mode.
Software: Instrument software includes preventative maintenance videos, tutorials
Suggested applications: Hg analysis of soils, plastics, polymers, composites, paper, coal, biomass, foods/grains, plant material, blood, tissue, personal products/cosmetics
Primary benefits: No sample preparation is required/no waste created.
Unique features: Completely modular design, can easily be converted in the lab to perform analysis of liquid matrices
Using Spectroscopy to Understand Hawaii’s Hidden Geology
May 8th 2025Researchers from the University of Nevada, Reno, have conducted the most comprehensive subsurface analysis of Hawaiian shield basalts to date, using advanced spectroscopic and geochemical techniques to reveal short-lived hydrothermal alteration processes and establish a new foundation for future volcanic and geothermal studies.
Wearable fNIRS Sensor Tracks Cognitive Fatigue in Real Time
May 7th 2025Researchers have developed a wireless, wearable brain-monitoring device using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to detect cognitive fatigue in real time. The miniaturized system enables mobile brain activity tracking, with potential applications in driving, military, and high-stress work environments.
