Emission yields and the standard model in glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy: Links to the underlying physics and analytical interpretation of the experimental data

The so-called standard model is a semi-empirical, physically based model describing the signal response in the glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy. Its assumptions, implications and limitations are reviewed, including links to the underlying fundamental physics. Its implementation and practical use as a calibration model in analytical applications is described, including the determination of its key parameters, the emission yields. Some data processing techniques based on the standard model are reviewed, including the multi-element calibration fitting and the signal decomposition in complex spectra. It is shown how the emission yields can be used to collect information about the glow discharge excitation.