Pulsed glow discharge as a solids analysis source

Abstract

Pulsed methods exhibit certain advantages that are well known. By pulsing the glow discharge, a more powerful and versatile plasma is obtained for application with a number of analytical spectrometric methods. Higher sputter yield produces more analyte atoms and the intensified plasma produces greater ionization and excitation for enhanced sensitivity in the elemental analysis of solid samples. By coupling a pulsed discharge with an appropriate spectrometric system, optimum advantage may be obtained. A multiple pulse sequence of the glow discharge adds another dimension of selection in stimulating the analytical signal with respect to time. Adding a pulsed laser to the pulsing scheme may introduce complementary opportunities.