Studies in atomic-fluorescence spectroscopy--VIII. Atomic fluorescence and atomic absorption of thallium and mercury with electrodeless discharge tubes as sources.

Atomic-fluorescence measurements, with microwave-excited electrodeless discharge tubes as sources of excitation, are described for thallium and mercury. The limits of detection by atomic fluorescence are 0.12 ppm for thallium and 0.08 ppm for mercury; the corresponding limits by atomic absorption (using the same instrument and source) are 6 and 10 times as great. The preparation, operation and spectral characteristics of thallium and mercury discharge tubes are described and comparisons are made with a thallium hollow cathode lamp and thallium and mercury spectral discharge lamps.