Using the method of multipath-saturation fluorescence, which considers both fluorescent as well as nonfluorescent substances, the total absorption coefficient can be determined with high sensitivity. This new fluorescence method is appropriate, e.g. for in-situ applications. Thus a portable absorption-fluorometer has been constructed. The main part of the device is a multireflection cell based on a design of Herriott with a 1 cm quartz-cuvette. Two pairs of spherical dielectric mirrors are used to realize the multireflection of the excitation radiation in the UV and blue spectral range. The combination of a cylindrical and a convace mirror leads to a long pathway of the excitation radiation and, thus, to a full absorption by the fluid. A first experiment has been performed with drinking water samples defined polluted by non-fluorescent p-nitrophenol and 2-nitroaniline. Based on the method of multipath-saturation fluorescence a good correlation to the substance concentration was achieved, whereas the conventional absorption failed.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.