Atomic absorption measurements in a low-pressure laser jet

The feasibility of atomization of substances by laser radiation for the purposes of chemical analysis is investigated. It is shown that when a specimen is evaporated by radiation from a Q-switched solid-state laser, the utilization efficiency of a substance in atomic absorption measurements is 6%. The absolute sensitivity is 10 ng. The influence of the external pressure on the optical properties of a laser-generated jet is considered. A range of pressures is found which is optimal for performing analytical measurements.