Method and apparatus for reduction of matric interference in electrothermal atomizer for atomic absorption spectroscopy

The invention provides an improved method and apparatus for reduction of matrix interference in an electrothermal atomizer for atomic absorption spectroscopy. In a carbon rod atomizer within which a sample to be analyzed is atomized to the atomic state, the graphite furnace tube is electrothermally heated from the ends to the center where the sample is located. This provides sufficient thermal energy for complete decomposition of the sample molecules to the atomic state. In a first apparatus embodiment two-pronged substantially Y-shaped graphite electrode support holders for the graphite furnace tube are provided. In a second apparatus embodiment a double-walled graphite furnace tube is provided.