An optical emission analyzer is provided with a circuit-closing switch (56) for changing the state of an arc-generating circuit 5 between the closed state and the open state and a reverse-blocking diode (55) for preventing a spark current from flowing into the circuit-closing switch (56). The circuit-closing switch (56) is turned on before the beginning of a spark discharge between a discharge electrode (31) and a sample (32) to initiate excitation of a coil (53). Consequently, the excitation current of the coil (53) can be increased to a target value within the duration of the spark discharge without using a low-inductance coil or increasing the switching frequency of a switching element (52).