TUBULAR SAMPLE CELL HAVING RADIALLY EXTENDING FLANGES AT THE ENDS OF THE CELL FOR FLAMELESS ATOMIC ABSORPTION

This is a tubular cell for atomizing samples in flameless atomic absorption spectroscopy of the type in which electric current is passed through the tubular cell to generate the heat for vaporizing the sample therein. The improvement comprises the use of radially extending flanges at the ends of the tube which are in both physical and electrical contact with the tube, and the electric current is supplied to the outer rim of the flanges. This construction reduces the tendency of the ends of the tube to be cooler than the center of the tube, since the flanges themselves generate heat and also their relative thinness inhibits large heat losses from the ends of the tube to the relatively massive electrodes which supply the electric current. The flanges may be shaped in various ways and may include cut-out portions to further increase current density therein and to reduce further their heat conductivity.