Emission intensity of cesium in flames of various gas compositions

The emission intensity of cesium at 852.1 nm has been studied in hydrogen flames burning with various mixtures of oxygen and nitrogen. A significant maximum was observed in the relative emission intensity of cesium at an oxygen to nitrogen ratio of 3:2 in the aspirating gas. The effect of Rb⁺, K⁺, Li⁺, Na⁺, and NH₄⁺ ions on cesium emission is much less pronounced in this optimum flame than in a pure oxy-hydrogen flame. The optimum flame (60% oxygen) yields a significantly better calibration curve than can be obtained in either the normal air-hydrogen or oxyhydrogen flame for 0–12 p.p.m. cesium concentrations; the graph is linear over this concentration range.