The ACT 80 Atom Concentrator Tube is a quartz tube that is positioned in the air/acetylene flame to increase flame atomic absorption sensitivity by 2-3 times over normal flame atomic absorption. Depending on the element, it improves detection limits by up to 3.3 times.

The quartz tube has two slots along its length. The flame enters the tube through one of the slots and exits the other and at both ends of the tube.When a solution is aspirated, the atoms pass into the tube. The tube wall prevents the atoms from diffusing out of the optical path, which increases the residence time of the atoms in the light beam and the absorbance signal. The tube also stops air from diffusing into the flame, preventing oxides that can form and cause poor sensitivity.