Abstract: An ion selective potentiometric electrode component consisting essentially of a solid, plate-like interface element prepared by simultaneously co-precipitating Ag.sub.2 S, Ag.sub.2 Se, CdS and CdSe followed by compressing the precipitated material at an elevated temperature to provide a substantially impervious agglomerate having an X-ray diffraction pattern distinct from a composite pattern of the individual four components and characterized by improved response properties and enhanced sensitivity to cadmium ion concentration in solution.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the electromagnetic (E/M) impedance of soil is diosed. This impedance is obtained by measuring the voltage standing wave ratio and first minimum with the disclosed apparatus. The apparatus comprises a trombone slotted line in combination with an earth probe. The trombone slotted line comprises a telescoping outer conductor and a telescoping inner conductor coaxial with and surrounded by the outer conductor. The inner part of the telescoping outer conductor has a slot along its length and a probe that passes through the outer part of the telescoping outer conductor extends into this slot. The earth probe also comprises an outer conductor and a coaxial inner conductor surrounded by the outer conductor. One end of the inner telescoping conductor of the slotted line mates with the inner conductor of the earth probe and the other end of the telescoping inner conductor of the slotted line is coupled to coupling means for coupling RF energy to the apparatus.