ABSTRACT
Flame photometry is an atomic spectroscopy technique based on the light emission phenomenon of excited atoms or clusters as they return to lower energy states. It is a very important CWA detection technique that has been successfully used for a long time. The detection of the characteristic light emission by excited sulfur and/or phosphorus atoms or clusters is used to identify CWAs. Most classic CWAs, such as the G-agents, Vagents, and sulfur mustard (HD), contain phosphorus and/or sulfur in their molecules as discussed in Chapter 2. Detectors based on atomic spectroscopy technology can also be used in detecting many TICs that contain phosphorus, sulfur, arsenic, or other atoms that produce characteristic light emissions.
