Abstract: A method and apparatus of atomic emission spectrometry includes confining a solution within an emission chamber for on-line analysis or individual sample analysis. An electrical discharge created within the liquid to directly excite an internal portion of the liquid within the liquid solution. The atomic emission is totally enclosed within a liquid solution pocket. A fiber optic probe is connected directly to the excited internal portion within the liquid and to a suitable analyzer which analyzes the atomic spectral lines to determine the atomic elements within the liquid solution. The system can be used for individual element analysis or a multiple element analysis by use of an array spectrometer, with a simultaneous display of the complete atomic spectrum of multiple elements in a liquid solution, all in less than a period of one second.