BACKGROUND: Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) ambient plasma has been recently used as hydride atomizers for atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). DBD performance in terms of sensitivity has been proven comparable with the most common hydride atomizer, heated quartz tube (QTA), for some analyte hydrides while being significantly worse for the others. Moreover, a simple approach to analyte hydride preconcentration directly in the DBD (in-situ) prior to AAS detection has been reported with preconcentration efficiency significantly analyte-dependent. Detailed insights into the mechanisms of analyte hydride atomization and preconcentration are thus essential to utilize the full potential of DBD atomizers in analytical routine. RESULTS: Using SbH SIGNIFICANCE: Both, high atomization efficiency and long life of free Sb atoms found by LIF prove perfect compatibility of DBD atomizer with AAS detection. This agrees well with high sensitivity reached in DBD atomizer in AAS which is comparable to that achieved in QTA. In preconcentration mode, spatio-temporally resolved LIF measurements revealed analyte trapping in a narrow spot in the central part of the DBD and enabled to study the dynamics of its subsequent release.