Because of its small volume, simple structure, low energy consumption, low working temperature, strong ability of sample dissociation/excitation and other significant characteristics, the dielectric barrier discharge is especially suitable for the miniaturization and portable analytical instruments. By now, atomizer or excitation source based on dielectric barrier discharge has applied in atomic absorption spectrometer, atomic fluorescence spectrometer and atomic emission spectrometer successfully, which promoted the development of miniaturization atomic spectrum instrument. This paper reviews DBD’s recent progress in atomic spectrum field, emphatically introduces the applications of the DBD-AFS system in different sampling modes and analyses, along with their respective merits and demerits. This paper also introduces the new applications of DBD in vapor generation and direct solid sampling. Due to the DBD’s reaction mechanism is still unclear; the study of its subsequent development may be restricted.