The GAČR project “Versatile Plasma Sources and Advanced Signal Processing Approaches as New Concepts in Trace Element Analysis and Atomic Spectrometry” (GF23-05974K), now in its third year, is led at our department by Assoc. Prof. Pavel Dvořák. At the end of June, as part of this project, we once again welcomed colleagues from the Department of Trace Element Analysis of the Institute of Analytical Chemistry of the CAS – Dr. Jan Kratzer and Dr. Milan Svoboda – for a two-week collaboration. They were joined in our laboratories by Dr. Jan Čech from the Applied Plasmochemistry research group, Dr. Michal Pazderka from the Plasma Nanotechnologies and Bioapplications research group, and Assoc. Prof. Zdeněk Navrátil from the Plasma Diagnostics and Modeling research group.
Together, they focused on the characterization of gas discharge-based and flame atomizers, which are being developed, studied, and tested at the Institute of Analytical Chemistry for trace or specialized analysis of toxicologically relevant elements. They also measured the electrical characteristics of atomizers in the Atmospheric Pressure Glow Discharge (APGD) configuration. This setup was further diagnosed using time- and spectrally-resolved optical emission spectroscopy, enabling the study of analyte emission dynamics. A dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) atomizer, powered by a unique MHz source developed by Dr. Pazderka at our department, was analyzed in the same way. Assoc. Prof. Navrátil focused on testing methods for discriminating very weak analyte signals using advanced spectroscopy with time-correlated single photon counting in flame atomizers, aiming to achieve the lowest possible detection limits.
These joint experiments are always a great opportunity to exchange experience, generate new ideas, and explore innovative approaches to research challenges. The results of this intensive collaboration will contribute to a deeper understanding of the studied processes and will form the basis for joint scientific publications.
We thank our colleagues for their inspiring visit and look forward to further collaboration!
