THE INFLUENCE OF SAMPLE COMPOSITION ON MAGNESIUM, CADMIUM, AND LEAD INTENSITY RATIOS AS RADIATED FROM A SPARK SOURCE

Abstract

Marked variations have been observed in the relative intensities of magnesium, cadmium, and lead lines on the addition of various amounts of foreign substances to standard samples and excitation in a condensed spark source. The changes in the interspectra intensity ratios depended on the nature and amount of the added substances, as well as on the elements under consideration. In many instances buffering of the samples with sodium potassium tartrate or potassium nitrate did not reduce the variations. The behaviour cannot be explained solely on the basis of changes in an "effective" discharge temperature. The data permit no obvious generalization that might be helpful as a criterion for the choice of internal standard elements and buffer substances.