An integrating flame photometer for small quantities

Abstract

A method is described in which the sample is dried on a platinum wire which is then thrust into an air-coalgas flame by a mechanical device. The light from the flame enters a spectrometer and the chosen lines are allowed to fall on a photo-multiplier tube. This is connected to a Miller integrator with meter presentation. The apparatus has been tested with thallium and with sodium. A deflexion of about 100 units is given by 10-3 mg of thallium and by 10-6 mg of sodium. The average error is about 3%. This method is intended for use with small volumes, e.g. 10-3 mm3 of biological fluids. The technique of measuring and manipulating these small volumes is described elsewhere.