Electric discharge in gas at low pressure (
\(\pu{100}\) to
\(\pu{1000 Pa}\)).
Notes: - In atomic emission spectroscopy argon is used as the inert working gas that generates the plasma.
- In the prevailing electrical field the produced ions are accelerated towards the cathode, resulting in a continuous bombardment of the sample surface.
Source:
PAC, 2021, 93, 647. 'Glossary of methods and terms used in analytical spectroscopy (IUPAC Recommendations 2019)' on page 720 (https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2019-0203)