Spark ionization

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Orange Book Entry

This occurs when a solid material is vaporized and partially ionized by an intermittent electric discharge. Further ionization occurs in the discharge when gaseous atoms and small molecular moieties interact with energetic electrons in the intermittent discharge.

Gold Book Entry

Occurs when a solid sample is vaporized and partially ionized by an intermittent discharge. It is recommended that the word 'source' be dropped from this term.