ResourceSpectroscopy
Find the right technique for seamless elemental analysis in your laboratory
20 Aug 2025Discover how to select the right elemental analysis technique for your laboratory. This guide compares ICP-OES and ICP-MS, highlighting their strengths, detection limits, and applications across environmental testing, food safety, pharmaceuticals, and materials science. Learn how modern innovations improve sensitivity, throughput, and reliability in trace elemental analysis.
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Atomic Absorption / Emission SpectroscopyAtomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and atomic emission spectroscopy (AES) — also called optical emission spectroscopy (OES) — are used to detect the elemental constituents in samples. Both techniques involve the atomization of a sample. Atomic absorption spectrometers may use a flame or furnace to create an atomic vapor of the sample before irradiation with spectral light. Optical emission spectrometers may use a flame, inductively coupled plasma (ICP), microwave plasma (MP) or spark arcs to atomize and excite the sample. At higher excitation energies, electrons can be emitted instead of photons, which can be useful for samples that can’t be atomized and for surface analysis. Explore electron spectroscopy equipment such as Auger spectrometers and photoelectron spectrometers for surface elemental analysis of samples. Find the best atomic absorption, photoelectron and optical emission spectrometers in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Elemental AnalysisElemental analysis involves determining the elemental composition of a sample, often used in environmental, pharmaceutical, and material sciences. Techniques like ICP-MS, X-ray fluorescence, and atomic absorption spectroscopy allow precise quantification of elements such as metals and nonmetals in complex matrices. Browse our peer-reviewed product directory to find the best elemental analysis tools, compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.