Determination of Nd,Ho, Er,Tm and Y in Solutions by Hollow Cathode Discharge with Copper Cathodes

Abstract

A hollow cathode discharge has been applied to the determination of Nd, Ho, Er, Tm and Y in solutions using copper cathodes and argon as a carrier gas. The solutions were evaporated to dryness in the cathodes without a pretreatment. Absolute detection limits for the elements studied here were found to be lower in the copper cathode by about one order than those obtained in previous studies in graphite hollow cathodes.