Determination of matrix elements of As-S glasses by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

It is demonstrated that inductively coupled atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) can be successfully used for determination of matrix elements of As-S glasses with the expanded uncertainty within 0.05-0.1 mol%. The main advantage of ICP-AES method as compared with X-ray methods is the use of calibration (standard) samples in the form of solutions. The minimum mass of the glass sample, sufficient for analysis, is ~ 30 mg, which makes it possible to analyze expensive materials as well as some types of optical fibers. The results of analysis of real bulk samples by the methods of ICP-AES and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XFS) are compared. With respect to determination of macro-components of glasses the ICP-AES method is highly competitive with the abilities of X-ray method.