The principle of the analysis method of SPECTRO´s portable, mobile and stationary metal analyzers is optical emission spectroscopy (arc spark OES or spark OES). Sample material is vaporized with the testing probe by an arc spark discharge.
The atoms and ions contained in the atomic vapor are excited into emission of radiation. The radiation emitted is passed to the spectrometer (arc spark OES) optics directly or via an optical fiber, where it is dispersed into its spectral components. From the range of wavelengths emitted by each element, the most suitable line for the application is measured by means of a CCD or PMT.
The radiation intensity, which is proportional to the concentration of the element in the sample, is recalculated internally from a stored set of calibration curves and can be shown directly as percent concentration.