To improve the detection sensitivity, detection accuracy, and reproducibility when electrostatic discharge is generated in a sample solution and analysis is performed using light emission in the generated plasma. A flow channel 100, which has cylindrical main portions each expanding conically from a narrow portion, is filled with a conductive sample solution, and an electric field is applied to the flow channel 100 to generate plasma in the generated air bubbles, so that the resulting light emission is measured.

To improve the detection sensitivity, detection accuracy, and reproducibility when electrostatic discharge is generated in a sample solution and analysis is performed using light emission in the generated plasma. A flow channel 100, which has cylindrical main portions each expanding conically from a narrow portion, is filled with a conductive sample solution, and an electric field is applied to the flow channel 100 to generate plasma in the generated air bubbles, so that the resulting light emission is measured.

An apparatus and method for characterizing a target, e.g., microbial samples or biological toxins, includes labeling the target with a biomolecular recognition construct and measuring an atomic-spectra signal of the biomolecular recognition construct. The method can include heating the labeled target before measuring the atomic-spectra signal. The atomic-spectra signal can be measured by performing laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. The atomic-spectra signal can be measured by performing spark induced breakdown spectroscopy. The biomolecular recognition construct can be prepared by tagging a biological scaffolding with a metal atom or ion. In an aspect in which the target includes a microbial sample, the biological scaffolding can include an antibody against epitopes present on bacterial surface, the antibody linked to a heavy metal. In an aspect in which the target includes a biological toxin, the biological scaffolding can include an antibody against the biological toxin linked to heavy metals.

A sensor for determining an air ratio of a fuel gas/air mixture, wherein a housing is formed, which delimitates a measuring space. The housing has on one side a diffusion passage for coupling with a fuel gas/air mixture flow, wherein the diffusion passage is formed by a gas-permeable separating agent. An electrically operated excitation element is arranged for energy supply into the measuring space in order to induce a chemical reaction of a fuel gas/air mixture in the measuring space. At least one optical detection device is directed into the measuring space with its detection area, wherein the at least one optical detection device detects the intensity of radiation from the reaction position in at least a first wavelength range and produces a signal being allocated to the detected intensity, from which the air ratio is inferable.

A controller (316) and method for establishing safe operation of an atomic emission spectrometer (AES) to analyse a sample (100) arranged on a sample holder (102) of the AES. The controller (316) is configured to receive a measurement of at least one test parameter indicative of the arrangement of the sample (100) on the sample holder (102). The at least one test parameter is then compared to a range of target values for that test parameter to determine if the sample (100) is arranged correctly on the sample holder (102). The test parameters may include an electrical parameter dependant on a current between a first and a second terminal at the sample holder (102), gas pressure in a gas chamber housing an electrode of the AES, or displacement of a portion of the sample holder.

A controller (316) and method for establishing safe operation of an atomic emission spectrometer (AES) to analyse a sample (100) arranged on a sample holder (102) of the AES. The controller (316) is configured to receive a measurement of at least one test parameter indicative of the arrangement of the sample (100) on the sample holder (102). The at least one test parameter is then compared to a range of target values for that test parameter to determine if the sample (100) is arranged correctly on the sample holder (102). The test parameters may include an electrical parameter dependant on a current between a first and a second terminal at the sample holder (102), gas pressure in a gas chamber housing an electrode of the AES, or displacement of a portion of the sample holder.

A device may be provided for element analysis of materials by means of optical emission spectroscopy, particularly by means of laser-induced plasma spectroscopy, said device having: means for exciting a plasma from a partial quantity of a test sample made of the material to be analyzed; means for detecting and for spectral analysis of optical radiation emitted from the plasma; beam guidance means for guiding at least a part of the optical radiation emitted from the plasma to the means for detecting and spectral analysis; and means for flushing at least one partial region of the device with an inert gas, wherein the beam guidance means are at least one capillary tube, which additionally serves to guide the inert gas. A method may be provided for element analysis of materials by means of optical emission spectroscopy using the device.

An apparatus and a method for preparing glow discharge sputtering samples for materials microscopic characterization are provided. The apparatus includes a glow discharge sputtering unit, a glow discharge power supply, a gas circuit automatic control unit, a spectrometer, and a computer. The structure of the glow discharge sputtering unit is optimized to be more suitable for sample preparation by simulation. By adding a magnetic field to the glow discharge plasma, uniform sample sputtering is realized within a large size range of the sample surface. The spectrometer monitors multi-element signal in a depth direction of the sample sputtering, so that precise preparation of different layer microstructures is realized. In conjunction with the acquisition of the sample position marks and the precise spatial coordinates (x, y, z) information, the correspondence between the surface space coordinates and the microstructure of the sample is conveniently realized.

An apparatus and a method for preparing glow discharge sputtering samples for materials microscopic characterization are provided. The apparatus includes a glow discharge sputtering unit, a glow discharge power supply, a gas circuit automatic control unit, a spectrometer, and a computer. The structure of the glow discharge sputtering unit is optimized to be more suitable for sample preparation by simulation. By adding a magnetic field to the glow discharge plasma, uniform sample sputtering is realized within a large size range of the sample surface. The spectrometer monitors multi-element signal in a depth direction of the sample sputtering, so that precise preparation of different layer microstructures is realized. In conjunction with the acquisition of the sample position marks and the precise spatial coordinates (x, y, z) information, the correspondence between the surface space coordinates and the microstructure of the sample is conveniently realized.

Apparatus include an atmospheric pressure glow discharge (APGD) analyte electrode defining an analyte discharge axis into an APGD volume, and a plurality of APGD counter electrodes having respective electrical discharge ends directed to the APGD volume, wherein the APGD analyte electrode and the APGD counter electrodes are configured to produce an APGD plasma in the APGD volume with a voltage difference between the APGD analyte electrode and one or more of the AGPD counter electrodes. An electrode can be integrated into an ion inlet. Apparatus can be configured to perform auto-ignition and/or provide multi-modal operation through selectively powering electrodes. Electrode holder devices are disclosed. Related methods are disclosed.