aatomemissioonspektroskoopia

Aatomiemissioonspektroskoopia is an analytical technique used to determine the elemental composition of a sample. It works by measuring the light emitted by atoms when they are excited to higher energy levels and then return to their ground state. Each element emits light at specific, characteristic wavelengths, acting like a unique fingerprint.

The process typically begins with introducing the sample into a high-energy environment, such as a flame, plasma, or an electrical arc. This energy source excites the atoms within the sample, causing their electrons to jump to higher energy orbitals. As these excited electrons fall back to their lower, stable energy levels, they release the excess energy in the form of photons, which is light. The wavelength of this emitted light is precisely determined by the energy difference between the electron orbitals, which is unique to each element.

A spectrometer is then used to separate this emitted light into its component wavelengths. A detector measures the intensity of light at each specific wavelength. By analyzing the pattern of emitted wavelengths and their intensities, scientists can identify which elements are present in the sample and in what quantities. This makes aatomiemissioonspektroskoopia a valuable tool in various fields, including environmental monitoring, materials science, and clinical diagnostics.