Atomization of hydride forming elements in dielectric barrier plasma discharges

The aim of this diploma thesis was to optimize the atomization conditions of two hydride forming elements - bismuth and tellurium in dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma atomizers using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) as a detector. Two types of electrode constructions of planar DBD atomizers were studied: glued and sputtered electrodes while two construction of high voltage power supply sources were investigated employing either a sinusoidal or square wave modulation of high voltage function. The effect of the gas phase dryer included in the apparatus upstream the atomizer was also investigated. A nafion membrane tube dryer was identified as the most effective one. Its efficiency was verified using optical emission spectrometry. With the nafion tube included in the apparatus, two main parameters of DBD atomizers were optimized: the voltage of the power supply source and argon flow rate, which served as a discharge gas. Using optimal conditions, analytical characteristics were determined for all atomizers used and these were subsequently compared with those achieved in an externally heated quartz (multi)atomizer (MM)QTA. In the case of bismuth, the optimal argon flow rate was determined to be 75 cm3 min-1 for all atomizers. The optimal value for the power supply source with sinusoidal..