minimum consumption time, \(t_{\text{min}}\)

in flame emission and absorption spectrometry
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M03929
The time during which nebulization must be carried out in order to perform one analysis with a given precision. The minimum consumption time is equal to the minimum volume consumed of the prepared sample divided by the rate of fluid consumption in order to obtain a given precision. It can be reduced by means of integrating the signal or measuring the signal increments (kinetic methods).
Source:
PAC, 1986, 58, 1737. 'Quantities and units in clinical chemistry: Nebulizer and flame properties in flame emission and absorption spectrometry (Recommendations 1986)' on page 1740 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac198658121737)