AQUEOUS SAMPLE INTRODUCTION INTO A GLOW-DISCHARGE DEVICE VIA A PARTICLE BEAM INTERFACE

A particle beam interface for the introduction of aqueous samples into glow discharge devices has been developed. With such an interface, both solids and solutions may be analyzed employing the same spectrochemical source without major reconfiguration. Data are presented which illustrate the efficiency of the solution desolvation process, the influence of liquid introduction on source operating parameters, and the effects of discharge parameters on analyte emission intensity. Analyte particle introduction is confirmed by scanning electron micrographs and X-ray emission spectra. Preliminary atomic emission spectra are presented illustrating the possible utility of this methodology for atomic spectroscopy employing glow discharge devices.