Trace analysis — derivation of detection limit expression

Abstract

The lower limit of detection is often defined as that concentration equal to two standard deviations of the background count rate. Derive an ex­pression which defines the lower limit of detection in terms of the anal­ysis time T, the background counting rate R _b and the response m of an element given in c/s per %. Remember that trace analysis always re­quires two measurements, i.e. peak plus background.