Deviation of the level populations of iron atoms and ions from the boltzmann distribution in an inductively coupled plasma. Part 2. Effect of an easily ionizable element

Abstract

The effect of an easily ionizable element (EIE), potassium, was studied for the excitation systems of iron atoms and ions in an inductively coupled plasma supported by a Meddings–Anderson–Kaiser torch. The spatial and power dependences of the EIE effect are related to the change in the deviation from the Boltzmann distribution, which is expressed in terms of the curvature of the Boltzmann plot, the tangential temperature and the change in the relative number densities of iron atoms and ions.