Abstract: An apparatus and method for analyzing a sample of an inorganic or organic material, wherein the sample is in a discharge tube within a plasma cavity interfaced to an analytical device and a high frequency-sustained radiation-induced excitation plasma is initiated and sustained in the plasma cavity, which plasma is capable of causing the sample to pyrolyze and emit radiation, which emitted radiation or resulting atomic and molecular constituents may be analyzed,the improvement comprising:means for fixing or immobilizing the sample at a position spaced apart from the plasma, andmeans for elongating the plasma so as to cause it to encompass the sample.