The spectrophotometer is equipped with a double-beam photometer including a wide-range optical system and digital microcomputer electronics. Features include a Perkin Elmer dual-option burner system, a burner mount, interlocked gas controls, and a built-in printer connection.

The premix dual-option burner system, with an impact bead and flow spoiler, has a Ryton plastic burner that is angled for drainage, and the burner mount is adjustable in multiple directions. An adjustable nebulizer and titanium 10 cm single-slot burner head is used for air-acetylene operation, along with a 5 cm burner head used for nitrous oxide-acetylene.

The spectrophotometer also has gas controls including air, acetylene, and nitrous oxide flow control as well as automatic flame ignition. When lighting or extinguishing a nitrous oxide-acetylene flame, automatic sequencing of gases is provided. Also included are burner head interlocks, flame, and pressure sensing, as well as a burner drain interlock.

The Graphite Furnace with Enhanced Data System can be programmed directly from the spectrometer which includes provisions for storing methods, results, and raw analytical data on hard disk. This system includes a pneumatically opening furnace with optical temperature sensor and a power supply with an IEEE-488 intelligent interface. The power supply is controlled by a microcomputer.

At CAMMP, the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer is used to detect contaminant impurity levels in starting materials and for elemental analysis of products. For example, it is used to determine the concentration of impurities in a starting zeolite mixture, as well as the silicon to aluminum ratio in the crystalline product.