Abstract: | Abstract A radio-frequency probe and a synchronized electronic ion-beam chapper have been used to determine ion-intensity variation with spark duration. Large peaks in multiply charged ion intensities are detected in the early stages of the radio-frequency spark, while later in the spark period the singly charged species predominate. The effects of these variations on the precision of analysis have been determined. A gate was selected in the spark pulse, and a factor of two increase in precision was obtained. |