Application of a vidicon spectrometer for simultaneous flame-emission analysis for sodium and potassium in serum.

We describe a unique new approach to analytical spectroscopy, which makes use of a silicon-target vidicon tube to rapidly and repetitively scan ultraviolet and visible spectra. We discuss the concept and characteristics of the vidicon spectrometer and illustrate its application to simultaneousdeterminationof sodium and potassium In serum by flame photometry. Average values of coefficients of variation for sodium and potassium are 1. 1% and 1.7%, respectIvely. Recoveries of sodium and patasslum added to sara were 99.5 % and 99.8 % , respectively. When the same burner and flame conditions were used with the vidicon spectrometer and a conventional flame photometer, deviations among results were well within ±3 mmol/liter for sodium and 0.2 mmoi/liter for potassium. A bias is observed for both elements when results obtained with an air-hydrogen flame are compared with results obtained with an air-propane flame. Our data illustrate that the vidicon spectrometer is a viable tool for both routine applications and basic studies of effects of flame conditions on two or more elements simultaneously.