Spectra spark source

Qualitatively, the spark source mass spectrum is relatively simple and easy to interpret. Most instrumentation has been designed to operate with a mass resolution Al/dM of about 1500. For example, at mass M= 60 a difference of 0.04 amu can be resolved. This is sufficient for the separation of most hydrocarbons from metals of the same nominal mass and for precise mass determinations to identify most species. Each exposure, as described earlier and shown in Figure 2, covers the mass range from Be to U, with the elemental isotopic patterns clearly resolved for positive identification. 

The spark source is an energetic ionization process, producing a rich spectrum of multiply charged species (Af/2, Af/3, Af/4, etc.). These masses, falling at halves, thirds, and fourths of the unit mass separation can aid in the positive identification of elements. In Figure 2, species like Au and are labeled. The most abundant... 

The spectrum of tin emitted from a triggered spark source in the far UV region (17.5-200 nm) has been analysed26. The emission lines in this region may be useful for development of new analytical methods. 

A rather specialized emission source, which is applicable to the study of small samples or localized areas on a larger one, is the laser microprobe. A pulsed ruby laser beam is focused onto the surface of the sample to produce a signal from a localized area ca. 50 pm in diameter. The spectrum produced is similar to that produced by arc/spark sources and is processed by similar optical systems. 

The original OES instruments, dating from the 1930s but used consistently from the 1950s, used a spark source to excite the emission spectrum, which usually consisted of a graphite cup as one electrode, and a graphite rod as the other. The sample (solid or liquid) was placed inside the cup and the graphite rod lowered until it was close to the cup. The sample was then vaporized by... 

A recent modification of mass spectrometric technique involves the use of a spark source. A spark is struck by means of a high voltage between two rods of the material under examination. Under this drastic treatment many substances decompose completely into their elements and give positive ions. The ion detector is usually a photographic plate which shows a line mass spectrum. A number of exposures are taken for each sample and a quantitative estimate of the presence of an element in the sample can be made from the exposure time. 

Various types of positive ions are produced in a spark discharge such as singly and multiply charged atomic ions, polymer ions and heterogeneous compound ions. A spark source mass spectrum is always characterized by singly and multiply charged ions of the... 

The basic instrumentation used for spectrometric measurements has already been described in the previous chapter (p. 277). Methods of excitation, monochromators and detectors used in atomic emission and absorption techniques are included in Table 8.1. Sources of radiation physically separated from the sample are required for atomic absorption, atomic fluorescence and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (cf. molecular absorption spectrometry), whereas in flame photometry, arc/spark and plasma emission techniques, the sample is excited directly by thermal means. Diffraction gratings or prism monochromators are used for dispersion in all the techniques including X-ray fluorescence where a single crystal of appropriate lattice dimensions acts as a grating. Atomic fluorescence spectra are sufficiently simple to allow the use of an interference filter in many instances. Photomultiplier detectors are used in every technique except X-ray fluorescence where proportional counting or scintillation devices are employed. Photographic recording of a complete spectrum facilitates qualitative analysis by optical emission spectrometry, but is now rarely used. 

Experimental Procedure. As source of ultraviolet light the Author used sparks between zinc electrodes, the hydrogen lamp (which gives a continuous spectrum), or mercury lamps of differing model and power, fed by alternating or by direct current all the mercury lamps emit an arc spectrum. The spectra from these sources were determined by a spectrograph with quartz optics or a diffraction spectrograph with a fluorite window. ... 

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