Comparative Complexity of Emission Spectra from ICP, dc Arc, and Spark Excitation Sources

Abstract
A comparison of atomic emission spectra excited in high voltage spark and dc arc discharges and in an inductively coupled plasma revealed that the most complex spectra were emitted by the high voltage spark. The dc arc and the inductively coupled plasma yielded spectra of approximately equivalent complexity. These observations are not in accord with the impressions conveyed in the literature.