Die Herkunft des Untergrundes im Kohlebogen-spektrum

Abstract

In the arc method of speotrochemical analysis the sensitivity, i.e. the measurability of low contents, is limited by the background in the spectrum. For the spectrum lines to be used will disappear into the background when they become weak. With the carbon arc in air the disturbing influence is strengthened by the fact that the background is not smooth but contains a large number of weak bands. It is indeed possible to subtract the background from a measured spectral line; however, the correct (graphical) procedure consumes much time, and naturally the accuracy is limited. So a weakening of the background will often be useful, provided that the favourable properties of the arc are not damaged. Research in this field will be the more effective the more completely the origins of the components of the background are known.