AELAB AA990 Series 8-Lamp Turret Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer

The instrument has a motorised 8 hollow cathode lamp turret which allows the automatic positioning and optimisation of each hollow cathode lamp by the software. The control of the gas flows for the fuel gas (C2H2) of the burner is also carried out directly from the software thus allowing optimisation of the instrument for the best analytical parameters for a selected analysis. Two methods of background correction are available. The first utilises a Deuterium Arc lamp and the second is the proven method of Self Reversal.

High precision minimal optics ensures maximum light throughput to the computer controlled Czerny-Turner Monochromator. The location of the wavelength and peak selection is automatically controlled from the software. The spectral bandwidth is automated and is available with a choice of five slit sizes. The electronic parameters for the photomultiplier tube detector, the hollow cathode lamp current and the balancing of the absorbance and background energies are controlled from the software. The ignition of the flame is computer controlled and the various safety interlocks offer a very safe operating system.

⚙️ Design & Construction

• AELAB AA990 uses a Czerny-Turner configuration monochromator with 1800/mm grating for stable wavelength selection.
• Motorised 8-lamp turret automates lamp positioning and optimisation for each element.
• Automated slit mechanism provides 0.1nm, 0.2nm, 0.5nm, 1.0nm and 2.0nm spectral bandwidth options.
• Metal Titanium Alloy burner with corrosion-resistant atomization chamber and high-efficiency glass nebulizer.
• Software-controlled gas flow for the fuel gas (C2H2) and flame ignition.

🔬 Working Principle / Testing Method

The AA990 Series quantifies elemental concentrations by atomic absorption in a flame atomization system. Radiation from a selected hollow cathode lamp passes through the atomized sample; absorbance at the analytical wavelength is measured after dispersion by the Czerny-Turner monochromator. Wavelength location and peak selection are software-controlled. Dual background correction—Deuterium Arc and Self-Reversal—compensates for non-specific absorption. Automated slit selection and controlled detector parameters ensure accurate baseline stability (±0.004Abs/30min) and reproducible results.

💡 Key Advantages

• Eight-lamp turret increases multi-element throughput without manual lamp changes.
• Dual background correction (Deuterium Arc and Self-Reversal) improves accuracy in complex matrices.
• Automated five-position slit system optimizes sensitivity and linearity across elements.
• Software control of gas flow and burner ignition enhances repeatability and safety.
• Wavelength accuracy ±0.25nm and reproducibility ≤0.15nm support trace-level quantification.
• Characteristic concentration: Cu < 0.04μg/ml/1% (Air/Acetylene); Ba < 0.15μg/mL/1% (N2O/Acetylene).
• Detection limit for Cu ≤0.006μg/ml with sensitivity of Cu 2μg/ml Absorption>0.28Abs.

🔗 Connectivity & Integration

AA-Win Pro software provides instrument control and data acquisition for the AELAB AA990 Series. The interface offers real-time signal acquisition, up-to-date display of calibration curves, a flexible sample table, energy control for manual optimization, auto-balance for optical alignments during background correction, and wizards for streamlined setup and calibration.

🧠 Model Insight

🧪 Testing Applications

The AA990 is suited to routine elemental analysis in environmental monitoring, food and agriculture, petrochemical, metallurgical and pharmaceutical laboratories. With the hydride generator accessory it determines ultra-low levels of Arsenic, Selenium, Antimony, Tellurium and Mercury. Graphite furnace options support trace analysis requiring reduced chemical interference and enhanced analytical accuracy.

Compliance & Quality Assurance

The AELAB AA990 Series supports multi-standard calibration, standard addition and interpolation functions. Safety features include computer-controlled ignition, monitored gas flows and interlocks. These functions assist laboratories operating under ISO/CE/GLP-style quality systems.