Dielectric barrier discharges applied for optical spectrometry

The present review reflects the importance of dielectric barrier discharges for optical spectrometric detection in analytical chemistry. In contrast to usual discharges with a direct current the electrodes are separated by at least one dielectric barrier. There are two main features of the dielectric barrier discharges: they can serve as dissociation and excitation devices as well as ionization sources, respectively. This article portrays various application fields of dielectric barrier discharges in analytical chemistry used for elemental and molecular detection with optical spectrometry. •Dielectric barrier discharges for optical spectrometric detection in analytical chemistry.•Electrodes are separated by at least one dielectric barrier.•A DBD can serve as dissociation and excitation device and as ionization source.•Various application fields of DBDs for elemental and molecular detection with optical spectrometry.