title: The origin of systematic errors in background measurements in Zeeman atomic-absorption spectrometry.
abstract: The problem of background measurement in Zeeman atomic-absorption spectrometry is discussed. The background measurement may be more or less faulty if the background is caused by line-rich electron excitation spectra of molecules. Molecules also such as OH, NO, NO(2) and SO(2) show a Zeeman effect. Therefore, the background measured in two different polarization planes or measured with and without a magnetic field present may differ. The danger of systematic errors in background measurement is less if the background is caused by polyatomic molecules. Rotational structure is less marked or not at all observable.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Spektrochemie und angewandte Spektroskopie, D-4600 Dortmund 1, West Germany.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Massmann