Emission spectra of molecules observed during carbon furnace atomisation

Molecular-emission spectra from CN and C2 radicals and from molecules formed during the atomisation of solutions of calcium, strontium and magnesium in carbon furnace atomisers are described. Spectra from metallic species are compared with analogous spectra observed by other workers in flames and arcs and are shown to be more closely related to the spectra of the oxide rather than hydroxide species of these elements.