Isotope analysis of sulfur from electron-vibrational spectrum of SO molecule

A spectroscopic technique for measuring isotopic sulfur composition according to the electron-vibrational spectrum of SO molecule is proposed. The mixture of sulfur dioxide and inert gas (helium or neon) is used as working gas. Analytical bands are 274.4, 287.7 and 291.5 nm. Optimal conditions for analysis are determined permitting to measure 34S isotope content in the concentration interval of 4.2-95 at.% with the accuracy of 1-3%. These conditions are: discharge tube diameter is approximately 1 mm, SO2-He mixture pressure is approximately equal to 8-10 torr, Psub(He)/Psub(SO2) correlation is approximately equal to 20-30. At normal conditions 0.002-0.003 cm3 of sulfur dioxide are enough for analysis. The technique is used to solve some problems of theoretical and applied geology