title: Atom-formation processes in carbon-furnace atomizers used in atomic-absorption spectrometry.
abstract: A mechanism for the production of atoms during carbon-furnace atomization is presented, based on the reaction MO(s) + C(s) --> CO(g) + M(g) The lowest temperature at which this reaction is thermodynamically feasible has been calculated for 27 elements and is shown to be consistent, for the majority of elements, with the lowest temperatures at which a substantial population of the atoms appears in the carbon-furnace atomizer. The theory has been developed further to explain qualitatively the losses of elements that occur during heating cycles before the atomization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G1 1XL, U.K.
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ottaway