Abstract

A miniature spark discharge system is described for solution analysis by emission spectroscopy. Samples are introduced as dry particles formed by nebulization into a heated desolvation chamber. The spark is formed by the discharge of a coaxial capacitor through a stream of argon which transports the desolvated aerosol. A photoelectric, time-resolved detection system for mechanistic studies and analytical applications is described. The detection system consists of a synchronous integrator controlled by a digital timing and sequencing system. The time-resolved spectral characteristics of the source are discussed, and time resolution is shown to provide enhanced sensitivity. Analytical results are reported for a variety of elements.

Spectrochemical Analysis of Solutions Using Spark Excitation*†

Henry A. Sloviter and Alexander Sitkin
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 34(7) 400-404 (1944)

Spectrochemical Analysis by the Copper Spark Method*

Mark Fred, Norman H. Nachtrieb, and Frank S. Tomkins
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 37(4) 279-287 (1947)

Emission Characteristics of Vacuum Spark Discharges

J. C. Wahr, W. W. McCormick, and R. A. Sawyer
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 43(3) 151-156 (1953)

Characteristics of a Combination Discharge and Its Applicability in Spectrochemical Analysis of Metals

H. E. Biber and S. Levy
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 49(4) 349-355 (1959)

Vacuum Ultraviolet Emission from High Density Spark Discharges in Argon and Helium

Lothar Michel and Heinz Fischer
Appl. Opt. 11(4) 899-906 (1972)