Factors leading to glow or arc discharge in atomospheric pressure of an excimer laser tube are studied. Arc and glow discharge are realized by choosing range of the applied voltage to the excitation circuit of the laser. Too low voltage to the excitation circuit of the laser is proved to cause arc discharge. Spectra of the emission from the discharge tube are observed. Energy distribution of the gas and electrons are discussed from the observed spectra. It is found that impurities affect the average energy of electrons and that molecules with many levels in low energy also cause arc discharge.
A glassy carbon column atomizer was improved for use at a high temperature above 2400°C, and applied to direct analyses of trace elements in biological samples. The elevation of the atomizer column allowed elemental analysis which was free of interference from background absorption caused by non-atomic species produced on the atomization of organic sample matrices.