Atomic emission spectroscopy

An analytical technique that identifies and measures elements by detecting characteristic light emitted as excited atoms return to lower energy states.

Atomic excitation: The process of raising an atom or ion to a higher energy state by supplying energy. Excitation supplies the energy that later emerges as the light measured by the technique.
Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy: An elemental analysis method that uses an argon plasma to excite atoms and ions and measures their emitted light. It is a widely used implementation for simultaneous multielement analysis.
Atomic absorption spectroscopy: An elemental analysis technique that measures how free atoms absorb light at characteristic wavelengths. It measures light removed by atoms rather than light they emit.
Atomic energy levels: The discrete allowed energies that electrons can occupy in an atom. Differences between these energies determine the wavelengths of emitted lines.
Spectral interference: An unwanted overlap or background contribution that obscures an analytical spectral signal. Overlapping lines can make one element's emission appear to come from another.
Atomic emission spectrum: The discrete wavelengths of light emitted when excited atoms or ions transition to lower energy states. Its element-specific lines are the direct signal used for identification.
Flame emission spectroscopy: An elemental analysis method that measures light emitted by atoms excited in a flame. It applies the same emission principle with a simpler excitation source.
X-ray fluorescence: An analytical technique that identifies elements from characteristic secondary X-rays emitted after excitation by X-rays. It uses X-ray emission from inner-shell processes instead of optical atomic emission.
Photon: A quantum of electromagnetic radiation carrying energy proportional to its frequency. Each atomic transition releases a photon whose energy sets an emission wavelength.
Matrix effect: A change in analytical response caused by other components of a sample. Sample composition can alter atomization, excitation, and observed emission intensity.

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