Absolute photon yields in the sputter-induced optical emission process

The absolute photon yield expressed as the number of photons emitted at a particular wavelength per sputtered atom has been measured for 34 elements in NBS standard glass targets bombarded by 20-keV Ar+ ions. The yield values lie in the range 10−2–10−6. The detection limits for these elements in parts per million by weight have also been estimated for given bombardment conditions.