AN IMPROVED FLAME SPECTROPHOTOMETER FOR BIOLOGIC CALCIUM ANALYSIS

摘要

A flame spectrophotometry system is presented which determines the calcium content of solutions to an accuracy of t 1％. This accuracy is obtained by modify¬ing the Beckman model DU flame spectrophotometer to improve its sensitivity and stability. The modifications include (a) the substitution of acetylene for oxygen as the spraying gas, (b) introduction of a mechanism for adjusting the wavelength selector in small increments, (c) redesign of the photomultiplier circuit to pro¬vide an increased current amplification with a wider range of control, and (d) addition of a wide-scale, sensitive galvanometer for the purpose of prerecording monitoring. The entire system has been used successfully, for more than a year to determine serum, urine, and stool calcium of human subjects.