Direct spectrometry of solids in view of information characteristics

The development of atomic spectrometric methods in recent years is characterized by a remarkable orientation towards direct analysis of solids using various sample introduction techniques in connection with inductively coupled plasma excitation. The old-fashioned direct-current arc excitation with computer-controlled arc current vs. time programming has been studied as an alternative to the above mentioned methods. The influence of different electrode material, different sample preparation mode and working atmosphere on the main figures of merit (precision of the method, dynamic concentration range, determination limit, etc.) have been studied using an evaluation procedure based on the information theory.