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 are excitation with computer-controlled are 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.
