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Radiofrequency glow-discharge devices for direct solid analysis

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Abstract

The enormous potential of radiofrequency glow discharges (rf-GD) as photon, atom, or ion sources, coupled to spectrometric techniques, for rapid direct analysis of almost any conductor, semiconductor, or insulating material with good in-depth resolution has been demonstrated world-wide. This outstanding performance has prompted a great effort to develop and characterise rf-GD for direct materials analysis in recent years. The state of the art of rf-GD coupled to atomic absorption spectrometry, optical emission spectrometry, and mass spectrometry for direct solid analysis is reviewed here. A description of the principles of operation of the rf-GD and attempts to model these discharges are also given. Rf-GD instrumentation, both developed at research laboratories and commercially available, is described. Several practical examples are given demonstrating the capabilities of these techniques for bulk and depth-profile analysis. Finally, the research gaps to be filled for full implementation of rf-GD spectrometric techniques in industry and research centres alike for materials science studies and technical development are discussed.

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Acknowledgements

Financial support from project PB-TBI01–09-C2 (“Plan I+D+I Principado de Asturias 2001/2004”) and from Project MAT2003–09243-C02 (Feder programme and Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología) is gratefully acknowledged. Jorge Pisonero acknowledges the financial support from a grant (FPI) of the Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología, associated with project BQU2000–0468.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, University of Oviedo, 33007, Oviedo, Spain

    Jorge Pisonero & Nerea Bordel

  2. Department of Physical and Analytical Chemistry, University of Oviedo, c/Julián Clavería 8, 33006, Oviedo, Spain

    José M. Costa, Rosario Pereiro & Alfredo Sanz-Medel

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  1. Jorge Pisonero
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  2. José M. Costa
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  5. Alfredo Sanz-Medel
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Correspondence to Alfredo Sanz-Medel.

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Pisonero, J., Costa, J.M., Pereiro, R. et al. Radiofrequency glow-discharge devices for direct solid analysis. Anal Bioanal Chem 379, 17–29 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-004-2531-3

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