Spectral characteristics of plasmatron with highly efficient feeding for spectral analysis of materials in nucleonics

Dependence was studied of spectral line intensities on discharge current, carrier gas flow and the spatial distribution of radiation in a plasma jet. The effect was determined of elements with low ionization potential on the spectral line exposure as was the effect of the presence of potassium in the sample on the spectral line exposure. In view of the high plasma temperature, the highest determination sensitivity was attained for elements whose spectral lines have high excitation potentials, ie., B, Cd, Pt, Zr, Hf, U, Th, etc. The experimental results show that the plasmatron design used allows for plasma temperature variations in a wide range. Plasma jet radiation is thus very stable. (J.P.)