Multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer and multi-element simultaneous analytic method

Claim 2

A control system for a filtration plant for purifying water from a reception port, and feeding the water, comprising means for sampling the fed water, a sample atomizing unit for evaporating the sampled water, and a plurality of separate optical systems using said atomizing unit in common, a plurality of photodetectors for detecting light beams having passed through said atomizing unit in the corresponding optical systems, and means for stopping feeding of the water when one of said photodetectors detects a quantity of a particular element exceeding a prescribed value.

Claim 3

A multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer comprising: a sample atomizing unit for atomizing a sample including a plurality of elements; means for defining a plurality of optical axes passing through the sample atomizing unit; a plurality of light sources respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes; spectroscope means disposed on the plurality of optical axes for performing spectral processing of light from the plurality of light sources exiting from the sample atomizing unit; a plurality of incident slits respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes between the sample atomizing unit and the spectroscope means; detecting means disposed on the plurality of optical axes for detecting spectrally processed light exiting from the spectroscope means; a plurality of exit slits respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes between the spectroscope means and the detecting means; and means for determining an amount of each of the plurality of elements in the sample atomized in the sample atomizing unit based on the spectrally processed light detected by the detecting means; wherein ones of the incident slits and the exit slits disposed on same ones of the optical axes have slit widths equal to each other.

Claim 4

A multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer comprising: a sample atomizing unit for atomizing a sample including a plurality of elements; means for defining a plurality of optical axes passing through the sample atomizing unit; a plurality of light sources respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes; spectroscope means disposed on the plurality of optical axes for performing spectral processing of light from the plurality of light sources exiting from the sample atomizing unit; a plurality of incident slits respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes between the sample atomizing unit and the spectroscope means; detecting means disposed on the plurality of optical axes for detecting spectrally processed light exiting from the spectroscope means; a plurality of exit slits respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes between the spectroscope means and the detecting means; and means for determining an amount of each of the plurality of elements in the sample atomized in the sample atomizing unit based on the spectrally processed light detected by the detecting means; wherein ones of the incident slits and the exit slits disposed on same ones of the optical axes have slit widths equal to each other.

Claim 5

A multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer according to claim 2, further comprising means for varying the slit widths of the incident slits and the exit slits.

Claim 6

A water quality control system for a filtration plant, the filtration plant receiving water at a reception port, purifying the received water, and feeding the purified water, the water quality control system comprising: means for obtaining samples of the received water, the purified water, and the fed water, the samples each including a plurality of elements; a multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer according to claim 2 for atomizing the samples obtained by the sample obtaining means and determining an amount of each of the plurality of elements in the atomized samples; means for determining if the samples obtained by the sample obtaining means include an amount of a predetermined one of the plurality of elements not less than a predetermined amount based on the amount of each of the plurality of elements in the atomized samples determined by the multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer; and means for generating an alarm signal when the determining means determines that the samples obtained by the sample obtaining means include an amount of the predetermined one of the plurality of elements not less than the predetermined amount.

Claim 7

A multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer comprising: a sample atomizing unit for atomizing a sample including a plurality of elements; means for defining a plurality of optical axes passing through the sample atomizing unit; a plurality of light sources respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes; a plurality of spectroscope means respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes for respectively performing spectral processing of light from the plurality of light sources exiting from the sample atomizing unit; detecting means disposed on the plurality of optical axes for detecting spectrally processed light exiting from the plurality of spectroscope means; and means for determining an amount of each of the plurality of elements in the sample atomized in the sample atomizing unit based on the spectrally processed light detected by the detecting means; wherein at least one of the plurality of spectroscope means has a spectral processing characteristic different from spectral processing characteristics of remaining ones of the plurality of spectroscope means; said multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer further comprising: a plurality of incident slits respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes between the sample atomizing unit and the plurality of spectroscope means; and a plurality of exit slits respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes between the plurality of spectroscope means and the detecting means; wherein ones of the incident slits and the exit slits disposed on same ones of the optical axes have slit widths equal to each other.

Claim 8

A multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer comprising: a sample atomizing unit for atomizing a sample including a plurality of elements; means for defining a plurality of optical axes passing through the sample atomizing unit; a plurality of light sources respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes; a plurality of spectroscope means respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes for respectively performing spectral processing of light from the plurality of light sources exiting from the sample atomizing unit; detecting means disposed on the plurality of optical axes for detecting spectrally processed light exiting from the plurality of spectroscope means; and means for determining an amount of each of the plurality of elements in the sample atomized in the sample atomizing unit based on the spectrally processed light detected by the detecting means; wherein at least one of the plurality of spectroscope means has a spectral processing characteristic different from spectral processing characteristics of remaining ones of the plurality of spectroscope means; said multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer further comprising: a plurality of incident slits respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes between the sample atomizing unit and the plurality of spectroscope means; and a plurality of exit slits respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes between the plurality of spectroscope means and the detecting means; wherein ones of the incident slits and the exit slits disposed on same ones of the optical axes have slit widths equal to each other.

Claim 9

A multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer according to claim 5, further comprising: means for varying the spectral processing characteristics of the plurality of spectroscope means; and means for varying the slit widths of the incident slits and the exit slits.

Claim 10

A multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer comprising: a sample atomizing unit for atomizing a sample including a plurality of elements; means for defining a plurality of optical axes passing through the sample atomizing unit; a plurality of light sources respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes; a plurality of spectroscope means respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes for respectively performing spectral processing of light from the plurality of light sources exiting from the sample atomizing unit; detecting means disposed on the plurality of optical axes for detecting spectrally processed light exiting from the plurality of spectroscope means; and means for determining an amount of each of the plurality of elements in the sample atomized in the sample atomizing unit based on the spectrally processed light detected by the detecting means; wherein at least one of the plurality of spectroscope means has a spectral processing characteristic different from spectral processing characteristics of remaining ones of the plurality of spectroscope means; and wherein at least one of the plurality of spectroscope means includes: a plurality of diffraction gratings having mutually different spectral characteristics; and means for disposing a selected one of the plurality of diffraction gratings on one of the plurality of optical axes on which the at least one spectroscope means is disposed.

Claim 11

A multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer comprising: a sample atomizing unit for atomizing a sample including a plurality of elements; means for defining a plurality of optical axes passing through the sample atomizing unit; a plurality of light sources respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes; a plurality of spectroscope means respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes for respectively performing spectral processing of light from the plurality of light sources exiting from the sample atomizing unit; detecting means disposed on the plurality of optical axes for detecting spectrally processed light exiting from the plurality of spectroscope means; and means for determining an amount of each of the plurality of elements in the sample atomized in the sample atomizing unit based on the spectrally processed light detected by the detecting means; wherein at least one of the plurality of spectroscope means has a spectral processing characteristic different from spectral processing characteristics of remaining ones of the plurality of spectroscope means; and wherein at least one of the plurality of spectroscope means includes: a plurality of diffraction gratings having mutually different spectral characteristics; and means for disposing a selected one of the plurality of diffraction gratings on one of the plurality of optical axes on which the at least one spectroscope means is disposed.

Claim 12

A multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer comprising: a sample atomizing unit for atomizing a sample including a plurality of elements; means for defining a plurality of optical axes passing through the sample atomizing unit; a plurality of light sources respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes; spectroscope means disposed on the plurality of optical axes for performing spectral processing of light from the plurality of light sources exiting from the sample atomizing unit; a plurality of detecting means respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes for detecting spectrally processed light exiting from the spectroscope means; and means for determining an amount of each of the plurality of elements in the sample atomized in the sample atomizing unit based on the spectrally processed light detected by the plurality of detecting means; wherein at least one of the plurality of detecting means has a detecting characteristic different from detecting characteristics of remaining ones of the plurality of detecting means; said multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer further comprising: a plurality of incident slits respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes between the sample atomizing unit and the spectroscope means; and a plurality of exit slits respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes between the spectroscope means and the plurality of detecting means; wherein ones of the incident slits and the exit slits disposed on same ones of the optical axes have slit widths equal to each other.

Claim 13

A multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer comprising: a sample atomizing unit for atomizing a sample including a plurality of elements; means for defining a plurality of optical axes passing through the sample atomizing unit; a plurality of light sources respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes; spectroscope means disposed on the plurality of optical axes for performing spectral processing of light from the plurality of light sources exiting from the sample atomizing unit; a plurality of detecting means respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes for detecting spectrally processed light exiting from the spectroscope means; and means for determining an amount of each of the plurality of elements in the sample atomized in the sample atomizing unit based on the spectrally processed light detected by the plurality of detecting means; wherein at least one of the plurality of detecting means has a detecting characteristic different from detecting characteristics of remaining ones of the plurality of detecting means; said multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer further comprising: a plurality of incident slits respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes between the sample atomizing unit and the spectroscope means; and a plurality of exit slits respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes between the spectroscope means and the plurality of detecting means; wherein ones of the incident slits and the exit slits disposed on same ones of the optical axes have slit widths equal to each other.

Claim 14

A multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer according to claim 8, further comprising: means for varying the detecting characteristics of the plurality of detecting means; and means for varying the slit widths of the incident slits and the exit slits.

Claim 15

A multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer comprising: a sample atomizing unit for atomizing a sample including a plurality of elements; means for defining a plurality of optical axes passing through the sample atomizing unit; a plurality of light sources respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes; a plurality of spectroscope means respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes for respectively performing spectral processing of light from the plurality of light sources exiting from the sample atomizing unit; a plurality of incident slits respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes between the sample atomizing unit and the plurality of spectroscope means; a plurality of detecting means respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes for respectively detecting spectrally processed light exiting from the plurality of spectroscope means; a plurality of exit slits respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes between the plurality of spectroscope means and the plurality of detecting means; and means for determining an amount of each of the plurality of elements in the sample atomized in the sample atomizing unit based on the spectrally processed light detected by the plurality of detecting means; wherein at least one of the plurality of spectroscope means has a spectral processing characteristic different from spectral processing characteristics of remaining ones of the plurality of spectroscope means; wherein at least one of the plurality of detecting means has a detecting characteristic different from detecting characteristics of remaining ones of the plurality of detecting means; and wherein ones of the incident slits and the exit slits disposed on same ones of the optical axes have slit widths equal to each other.

Claim 16

A multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer comprising: a sample atomizing unit for atomizing a sample including a plurality of elements; means for defining a plurality of optical axes passing through the sample atomizing unit; a plurality of light sources respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes; a plurality of spectroscope means respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes for respectively performing spectral processing of light from the plurality of light sources exiting from the sample atomizing unit; a plurality of incident slits respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes between the sample atomizing unit and the plurality of spectroscope means; a plurality of detecting means respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes for respectively detecting spectrally processed light exiting from the plurality of spectroscope means; a plurality of exit slits respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes between the plurality of spectroscope means and the plurality of detecting means; and means for determining an amount of each of the plurality of elements in the sample atomized in the sample atomizing unit based on the spectrally processed light detected by the plurality of detecting means; wherein at least one of the plurality of spectroscope means has a spectral processing characteristic different from spectral processing characteristics of remaining ones of the plurality of spectroscope means; wherein at least one of the plurality of detecting means has a detecting characteristic different from detecting characteristics of remaining ones of the plurality of detecting means; and wherein ones of the incident slits and the exit slits disposed on same ones of the optical axes have slit widths equal to each other.

Claim 17

A multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer according to claim 10, further comprising: means for varying the spectral processing characteristics of the plurality of spectroscope means; means for varying the detecting characteristics of the plurality of detecting means; and means for varying the slit widths of the incident slits and the exit slits.

Claim 18

A water quality control system for a filtration plant, the filtration plant receiving water at a reception port, purifying the received water, and feeding the purified water, the water quality control system comprising: means for obtaining samples of the received water, the purified water, and the fed water, the samples each including a plurality of elements; a multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer according to claim 10 for atomizing the samples obtained by the sample obtaining means and determining an amount of each of the plurality of elements in the atomized samples; means for determining if the samples obtained by the sample obtaining means include an amount of a predetermined one of the plurality of elements not less than a predetermined amount based on the amount of each of the plurality of elements in the atomized samples determined by the multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer; and means for generating an alarm signal when the determining means determines that the samples obtained by the sample obtaining means include an amount of the predetermined one of the plurality of elements not less than the predetermined amount.

Claim 19

An atomic absorption analysis method for simultaneously analyzing a plurality of elements, comprising the steps of: atomizing a sample including a plurality of elements; directing light from a plurality of light sources along a respective plurality of optical axes extending through the atomized sample; disposing spectroscope means on the plurality of optical axes to receive light from the plurality of light sources exiting from the atomized sample; respectively disposing a plurality of incident slits on the plurality of optical axes between the atomized sample and the spectroscope means; performing spectral processing of the light from the plurality of light sources exiting from the atomized sample with the spectroscope means; disposing detecting means on the plurality of optical axes to receive spectrally processed light exiting from the spectroscope means; respectively disposing a plurality of exit slits on the plurality of optical axes between the spectroscope means and the detecting means; detecting the spectrally processed light exiting from the spectroscope means with the detecting means; and determining an amount of each of the plurality of elements in the atomized sample based on the spectrally processed light detected by the detecting means; wherein ones of the incident slits and the exit slits disposed on same ones of the optical axes have slit widths equal to each other.

Claim 20

An atomic absorption analysis method for simultaneously analyzing a plurality of elements, comprising the steps of: atomizing a sample including a plurality of elements; directing light from a plurality of light sources along a respective plurality of optical axes extending through the atomized sample; disposing spectroscope means on the plurality of optical axes to receive light from the plurality of light sources exiting from the atomized sample; respectively disposing a plurality of incident slits on the plurality of optical axes between the atomized sample and the spectroscope means; performing spectral processing of the light from the plurality of light sources exiting from the atomized sample with the spectroscope means; disposing detecting means on the plurality of optical axes to receive spectrally processed light exiting from the spectroscope means; respectively disposing a plurality of exit slits on the plurality of optical axes between the spectroscope means and the detecting means; detecting the spectrally processed light exiting from the spectroscope means with the detecting means; and determining an amount of each of the plurality of elements in the atomized sample based on the spectrally processed light detected by the detecting means; wherein ones of the incident slits and the exit slits disposed on same ones of the optical axes have slit widths equal to each other.

Claim 21

An atomic absorption analysis method for simultaneously analyzing a plurality of elements according to claim 13, further comprising the step of varying the slit widths of the incident slits and the exit slits.

Claim 22

An atomic absorption analysis method for simultaneously analyzing a plurality of elements, comprising the steps of: atomizing a sample including a plurality of elements; directing light from a plurality of light sources along a respective plurality of optical axes extending through the atomized sample; respectively disposing a plurality of spectroscope means on the plurality of optical axes to respectively receive light from the plurality of light sources exiting from the atomized sample, at least one of the plurality of spectroscope means having a spectral processing characteristic different from spectral processing characteristics of remaining ones of the plurality of spectroscope means; respectively disposing a plurality of incident slits on the plurality of optical axes between the atomized sample and the plurality of spectroscope means; respectively performing spectral processing of the light from the plurality of light sources exiting from the atomized sample with the plurality of spectroscope means; respectively disposing a plurality of detecting means on the plurality of optical axes to respectively receive spectrally processed light exiting from the plurality of spectroscope means, at least one of the plurality of detecting means having a detecting characteristic different from detecting characteristics of remaining ones of the plurality of detecting means; respectively disposing a plurality of exit slits on the plurality of optical axes between the plurality of spectroscope means and the plurality of detecting means; respectively detecting the spectrally processed light exiting from the plurality of spectroscope means with the plurality of detecting means; and determining an amount of each of the plurality of elements in the atomized sample based on the spectrally processed light detected by the plurality of detecting means; wherein ones of the incident slits and the exit slits disposed on same ones of the optical axes have slit widths equal to each other.

Claim 23

An atomic absorption analysis method for simultaneously analyzing a plurality of elements, comprising the steps of: atomizing a sample including a plurality of elements; directing light from a plurality of light sources along a respective plurality of optical axes extending through the atomized sample; respectively disposing a plurality of spectroscope means on the plurality of optical axes to respectively receive light from the plurality of light sources exiting from the atomized sample, at least one of the plurality of spectroscope means having a spectral processing characteristic different from spectral processing characteristics of remaining ones of the plurality of spectroscope means; respectively disposing a plurality of incident slits on the plurality of optical axes between the atomized sample and the plurality of spectroscope means; respectively performing spectral processing of the light from the plurality of light sources exiting from the atomized sample with the plurality of spectroscope means; respectively disposing a plurality of detecting means on the plurality of optical axes to respectively receive spectrally processed light exiting from the plurality of spectroscope means, at least one of the plurality of detecting means having a detecting characteristic different from detecting characteristics of remaining ones of the plurality of detecting means; respectively disposing a plurality of exit slits on the plurality of optical axes between the plurality of spectroscope means and the plurality of detecting means; respectively detecting the spectrally processed light exiting from the plurality of spectroscope means with the plurality of detecting means; and determining an amount of each of the plurality of elements in the atomized sample based on the spectrally processed light detected by the plurality of detecting means; wherein ones of the incident slits and the exit slits disposed on same ones of the optical axes have slit widths equal to each other.

Claim 24

An atomic absorption analysis method for simultaneously analyzing a plurality of elements according to claim 15, further comprising the steps of: varying the spectral processing characteristics of the plurality of spectroscope means; varying the detecting characteristics of the plurality of detecting means; and varying the slit widths of the incident slits and the exit slits.

Claim 25

A multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer comprising: a sample atomizing unit for atomizing a sample including a plurality of elements; means for defining a plurality of optical axes passing through the sample atomizing unit; a plurality of light sources respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes; a plurality of spectroscope means respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes for respectively performing spectral processing of light from the plurality of light sources exiting from the sample atomizing unit; detecting means disposed on the plurality of optical axes for detecting spectrally processed light exiting from the plurality of spectroscope means; and means for determining an amount of each of the plurality of elements in the sample atomized in the sample atomizing unit based on the spectrally processed light detected by the detecting means; wherein at least one of the plurality of spectroscope means has a spectral processing characteristic different from spectral processing characteristics of remaining ones of the plurality of spectroscope means; and wherein the spectral processing characteristic of the at least one of the plurality of spectroscope means differs from the spectral processing characteristics of the remaining ones of the plurality of spectroscope means in at least one factor other than a selected wavelength.

Claim 26

A multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer comprising: a sample atomizing unit for atomizing a sample including a plurality of elements; means for defining a plurality of optical axes passing through the sample atomizing unit; a plurality of light sources respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes; a plurality of spectroscope means respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes for respectively performing spectral processing of light from the plurality of light sources exiting from the sample atomizing unit; detecting means disposed on the plurality of optical axes for detecting spectrally processed light exiting from the plurality of spectroscope means; and means for determining an amount of each of the plurality of elements in the sample atomized in the sample atomizing unit based on the spectrally processed light detected by the detecting means; wherein at least one of the plurality of spectroscope means has a spectral processing characteristic different from spectral processing characteristics of remaining ones of the plurality of spectroscope means; and wherein the spectral processing characteristic of the at least one of the plurality of spectroscope means differs from the spectral processing characteristics of the remaining ones of the plurality of spectroscope means in at least one factor other than a selected wavelength.

Claim 27

A multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer according to claim 17, wherein the spectral processing characteristic of the at least one of the plurality of spectroscope means differs from the spectral processing characteristics of the remaining ones of the plurality of spectroscope means in a slit width of an incident slit, a slit width of an exit slit, and a blaze wavelength of a diffraction grating.

Claim 28

A multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer according to claim 17, further comprising means for varying the spectral processing characteristics of the plurality of spectroscope means.

Claim 29

A multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer according to claim 17, further comprising: means for specifying a plurality of elements to be analyzed included in the sample; and means for varying the spectral processing characteristics of the plurality of spectroscope means in accordance with the plurality of elements specified by the specifying means.

Claim 30

A water quality control system for a filtration plant, the filtration plant receiving water at a reception port, purifying the received water, and feeding the purified water, the water quality control system comprising: means for obtaining samples of the received water, the purified water, and the fed water, the samples each including a plurality of elements; a multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer according to claim 17 for atomizing the samples obtained by the sample obtaining means and determining an amount of each of the plurality of elements in the atomized samples; means for determining if the samples obtained by the sample obtaining means include an amount of a predetermined one of the plurality of elements not less than a predetermined amount based on the amount of each of the plurality of elements in the atomized samples determined by the multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer; and means for generating an alarm signal when the determining means determines that the samples obtained by the sample obtaining means include an amount of the predetermined one of the plurality of elements not less than the predetermined amount.

Claim 31

A multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer comprising: a sample atomizing unit for atomizing a sample including a plurality of elements; means for defining a plurality of optical axes passing through the sample atomizing unit; a plurality of light sources respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes; spectroscope means disposed on the plurality of optical axes for performing spectral processing of light from the plurality of light sources exiting from the sample atomizing unit; a plurality of detecting means respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes for detecting spectrally processed light exiting from the spectroscope means; and means for determining an amount of each of the plurality of elements in the sample atomized in the sample atomizing unit based on the spectrally processed light detected by the plurality of detecting means; wherein at least one of the plurality of detecting means has a detecting characteristic different from detecting characteristics of remaining ones of the plurality of detecting means; and wherein the detecting characteristics of the at least one of the plurality of detecting means differs from the detecting characteristics of the remaining ones of the plurality of detecting means in at least a sensitivity characteristic.

Claim 32

A multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer comprising: a sample atomizing unit for atomizing a sample including a plurality of elements; means for defining a plurality of optical axes passing through the sample atomizing unit; a plurality of light sources respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes; spectroscope means disposed on the plurality of optical axes for performing spectral processing of light from the plurality of light sources exiting from the sample atomizing unit; a plurality of detecting means respectively disposed on the plurality of optical axes for detecting spectrally processed light exiting from the spectroscope means; and means for determining an amount of each of the plurality of elements in the sample atomized in the sample atomizing unit based on the spectrally processed light detected by the plurality of detecting means; wherein at least one of the plurality of detecting means has a detecting characteristic different from detecting characteristics of remaining ones of the plurality of detecting means; and wherein the detecting characteristics of the at least one of the plurality of detecting means differs from the detecting characteristics of the remaining ones of the plurality of detecting means in at least a sensitivity characteristic.

Claim 33

A multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer according to claim 22, further comprising means for varying the detecting characteristics of the plurality of detecting means.

Claim 34

A multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer according to claim 23, wherein at least one of the plurality of detecting means includes: a plurality of detectors having mutually different detecting characteristics; and means for disposing a selected one of the plurality of detectors on one of the plurality of optical axes on which the at least one detecting means is disposed.

Claim 35

A multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer according to claim 22, further comprising: means for specifying a plurality of elements to be analyzed included in the sample; and means for varying the detecting characteristics of the plurality of detecting means in accordance with the plurality of elements specified by the specifying means.

Claim 36

A water quality control system for a filtration plant, the filtration plant receiving water at a reception port, purifying the received water, and feeding the purified water, the water quality control system comprising: means for obtaining samples of the received water, the purified water, and the fed water, the samples each including a plurality of elements; a multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer according to claim 22 for atomizing the samples obtained by the sample obtaining means and determining an amount of each of the plurality of elements in the atomizing samples; means for determining if the samples obtained by the sample obtaining means include an amount of a predetermined one of the plurality of elements not less than a predetermined amount based on the amount of each of the plurality of elements in the atomized samples determined by the multi-element simultaneous analysis atomic absorption spectroscopy photometer; and means for generating an alarm signal when the determining means determines that the samples obtained by the sample obtaining means include an amount of the predetermined one of the plurality of elements not less than the predetermined amount.

Claim 37

An atomic absorption analysis method for simultaneously analyzing a plurality of elements, comprising the steps of: atomizing a sample including a plurality of elements; directing light from a plurality of light sources along a respective plurality of optical axes extending through the atomized sample; respectively disposing a plurality of spectroscope means on the plurality of optical axes to respectively receive light from the plurality of light sources exiting from the atomized sample, at least one of the plurality of spectroscope means having a spectral processing characteristic different from spectral processing characteristics of remaining ones of the plurality of spectroscope means; respectively performing spectral processing of the light from the plurality of light sources exiting from the atomized sample with the plurality of spectroscope means; disposing detecting means on the plurality of optical axes to receive spectrally processed light exiting from the plurality of spectroscope means; detecting the spectrally processed light exiting from the plurality of spectroscope means with the detecting means; and determining an amount of each of the plurality of elements in the atomized sample based on the spectrally processed light detected by the detecting means; wherein the spectral processing characteristic of the at least one of the plurality of spectroscope means differs from the spectral processing characteristics of the remaining ones of the plurality of spectroscope means in at least one factor other than a selected wavelength.

Claim 38

An atomic absorption analysis method for simultaneously analyzing a plurality of elements, comprising the steps of: atomizing a sample including a plurality of elements; directing light from a plurality of light sources along a respective plurality of optical axes extending through the atomized sample; respectively disposing a plurality of spectroscope means on the plurality of optical axes to respectively receive light from the plurality of light sources exiting from the atomized sample, at least one of the plurality of spectroscope means having a spectral processing characteristic different from spectral processing characteristics of remaining ones of the plurality of spectroscope means; respectively performing spectral processing of the light from the plurality of light sources exiting from the atomized sample with the plurality of spectroscope means; disposing detecting means on the plurality of optical axes to receive spectrally processed light exiting from the plurality of spectroscope means; detecting the spectrally processed light exiting from the plurality of spectroscope means with the detecting means; and determining an amount of each of the plurality of elements in the atomized sample based on the spectrally processed light detected by the detecting means; wherein the spectral processing characteristic of the at least one of the plurality of spectroscope means differs from the spectral processing characteristics of the remaining ones of the plurality of spectroscope means in at least one factor other than a selected wavelength.

Claim 39

An atomic absorption analysis method for simultaneously analyzing a plurality of elements according to claim 27, further comprising the step of varying the spectral processing characteristics of the plurality of spectroscope means.

Claim 40

An atomic absorption analysis method for simultaneously analyzing a plurality of elements according to claim 27, further comprising the steps of: specifying a plurality of elements to be analyzed included in the sample; and varying the spectral processing characteristics of the plurality of spectroscope means in accordance with the plurality of elements specified in the specifying step.

Claim 41

An atomic absorption analysis means for simultaneously analyzing a plurality of elements, comprising the steps of: atomizing a sample including a plurality of elements; directing light from a plurality of light sources along a respective plurality of optical axes extending through the atomized sample; disposing spectroscope means on the plurality of optical axes to receive light from the plurality of light sources exiting from the atomized sample; performing spectral processing of the light from the plurality of light sources exiting from the atomized sample with the spectroscope means; disposing a plurality of detecting means on the plurality of optical axes to receive spectrally processed light exiting from the spectroscope means, at least one of the plurality of detecting means having a detecting characteristic different from detecting characteristics of remaining ones of the plurality of detecting means; detecting the spectrally processed light exiting from the spectroscope means with the plurality of detecting means; and determining an amount of each of the plurality of elements in the atomized sample based on the spectrally processed light detected by the plurality of detecting means; wherein the detecting characteristic of the at least one of the plurality of detecting means differs from the detecting characteristics of the remaining ones of the plurality of detecting means in at least a sensitivity characteristic.

Claim 42

An atomic absorption analysis means for simultaneously analyzing a plurality of elements, comprising the steps of: atomizing a sample including a plurality of elements; directing light from a plurality of light sources along a respective plurality of optical axes extending through the atomized sample; disposing spectroscope means on the plurality of optical axes to receive light from the plurality of light sources exiting from the atomized sample; performing spectral processing of the light from the plurality of light sources exiting from the atomized sample with the spectroscope means; disposing a plurality of detecting means on the plurality of optical axes to receive spectrally processed light exiting from the spectroscope means, at least one of the plurality of detecting means having a detecting characteristic different from detecting characteristics of remaining ones of the plurality of detecting means; detecting the spectrally processed light exiting from the spectroscope means with the plurality of detecting means; and determining an amount of each of the plurality of elements in the atomized sample based on the spectrally processed light detected by the plurality of detecting means; wherein the detecting characteristic of the at least one of the plurality of detecting means differs from the detecting characteristics of the remaining ones of the plurality of detecting means in at least a sensitivity characteristic.

Claim 43

An atomic absorption analysis method for simultaneously analyzing a plurality of elements according to claim 30, further comprising the step of varying the detecting characteristics of the plurality of detecting means.

Claim 44

An atomic absorption analysis method for simultaneously analyzing a plurality of elements according to claim 30, further comprising the steps of: specifying a plurality of elements to be analyzed included in the sample; and varying the detecting characteristics of the plurality of detecting means in accordance with the plurality of elements specified in the specifying step.