An overview of ICP-MS

Plasma source MS is now recognized as a very powerful technique for trace element analysis. Argon ICP has been well characterized as an emission source and has, to date, been the preferred plasma for MS. The early publications by Gray and Date [1-10], Houk, Svec and Fassel [11-16], and Douglas, French and Smith [17, 18], outlined the basic fundamentals and capabilities of this technique in which singly charged ions formed in an atmospheric-pressure plasma are extracted into a quadrupole mass analyzer for detection. 

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Our purpose in diis paper is to provide an overview of ICP-MS and present case stupes demonstrating how LA-ICP-MS can be used to characterize obsidian, chert, ceramic glazes, and pigments. It is our hope that the research we discuss herein will inspire future archaeological projects in which data obtained using LA-ICP-MS assists archaeologists in understanding past cultural phenomenon. 

ICP-MS not only offers extremely low detection limits in the sub parts per trillion (ppt) range, but also enables quantitation at the high parts per million (ppm) level. This unique capability makes the technique very attractive compared to other trace metal techniques such as ETA, which is limited to determinations at the trace level, or FAA and ICP-OES, which are traditionally used for the detection of higher concentrations. In Chapter 1 we will present an overview of ICP-MS and explain how its characteristic low detection capability is achieved. 

In Chapter 1 we will present an overview of ICP-MS and explain how its characteristic low detection capability is achieved. 

Although there are different ICP-MS instruments today, an ICP-MS instrument is usually composed of a sample introduction system, a plasma source, an interface, a mass analyzer, a detector and a vacuum system (see Figure 4.1). Most of elements in the periodic table can be fully ionized in a high-temperature ionization source like ICP, and thus can be analyzed sequentially with a mass spectrometer. The outstanding characteristics of ICP-MS are summarized in Table 4.1. In this section, an overview of ICP-MS will be given briefly with an emphasis on the unique charaeterization and potential of ICP-MS, in comparison with the moleeular mass speetrometry that is widely used in proteomics studies. 

This paper presents an overview of the current research issues and commercialization efforts related to laser ablation for chemical analysis, discusses several fundamental studies of laser ablation using time-resolved shadowgraph and spectroscopic imaging, and describes recent data using nanosecond laser pulsed ablation sampling for ICP-MS and LIBS. Efforts towards commercialization of field based LIBS systems also will be described. 

An overview of commercial ICP mass spectrometers from different companies (quadrupole based ICP-MS with and without collision/reaction cell, double-focusing sector field instrumentation with single and multiple ion collectors, time-of-flight (ToF), ICP-ion trap-MS and non-commercial ICP-Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometers is given in Figure 5.2. By using ion traps and FTICR mass spectrometers in ICP-MS isobaric interferences of atomic ions... 

The most important analytical techniques which are used in multielement trace analysis are ICP-MS, atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and ICP atomic emission spectrometry (AES). NAA is applied as reference method in order to establish certibed values. The regular atomic spectrometry update on clinical and biological materials, foods and beverages (ASU review) gives an overview of the recent developments in elemental analysis of food and beverages [81]. 

An overview of the application of atomic spectrometric techniques to the elemental analysis of milk samples has been given. Elemental composition of milk, its nutritional role, sample preparation methods for analysis and measurement techniques have been described in detail. It appears that ICP-MS and ICP-AES are the most reliable techniques for the multielemental analysis of major, minor, and trace elements in milk samples. 

In Table 1, the principle features of ICP-OES and ICP-MS techniques are presented. As can be observed, each technique presents specific capabilities and limitations, which determine their applications in the analysis of real-world samples. In the following sections, the basic principles of ICP-OES and ICP-MS are described with a special focus on the recent technological and methodological developments. An overview of their applications in inorganic and organometallic analysis is also presented. 

Here the discussion focuses on the analytical procedure adopted to determine trace metals concentration in sea water in the dissolved phase. Particular attention will be given to the procedures preceding the analytical measurement (sampling, sample treatment and storage), the analytieal determination of total concentration by DPASV and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Speetrometry (ICP-MS) the contamination control procedure will also be discussed. The direct DPASV procedure for determining metal complexation in sea water is reported in detail and after a discussion of theoretical aspects an outline of the experimental procedure is presented. Finally, an overview of the distribution in the Southern Ocean of some metals of particular interest is examined and the evaluation of traee metals distribution is carried out also by comparison with results obtained in different geographical areas. 

The purpose of LA-ICP/MS use is to remove material from the surface and transport it into the ICP for ionization to obtain isotope ratios quickly with little sample preparation. Inter-element isotope ratios are also important in certain radionuclide applications, but are compromised by fractionation issues. Laser ablation provides an overview of which analytes and isotopes are present and approximates the concentration of each. 

As quadrupole ICP-MS (Q-ICP-MS) usually has a mass resolution of approximately 300 m/Am it is advantageous to employ high resolution (HR) sector field (SF)-ICP-MS since it is without argument better suited for eliminating spectral interferences (m/Am < 9,000). Additionally, its enhanced sensitivity yields detection limits improved by a factor of 50-100. But even HR-ICP-MS does not allow the separation of all occurring interferences. An overview of possible spectral interferences on Pd isotopes and the mass resolution required for... 

Other analytical techniqnes are also available for characterizing UO2 powders and pellets, so adherence to the ASTM procedures is not the only way to ascertain compliance with the specifications. An overview of the spectrometric techniqnes and sample preparation procedures (including separation of the uranium matrix) for the determination of impurities in nnclear fuel grade materials summarizing several methods was pnbUshed (Souza et al. 2013). Among the spectrometric techniqnes surveyed are FAAS, GFAAS, ICP-OES, and ICP-MS as well as strategies for matrix separation and preconcentration steps. 

This chapter provides an overview of the impact that MC-ICP-MS has had on cosmochemical research. To this end, it encompasses (i) an introduction to the extraterrestrial samples, and in particular meteorites, which are analyzed (ii) a brief explanation of the origin and significance of the most important types of isotopic anomalies that are measured (iii) a brief introduction to the particular advantages that MC-ICP-MS provides for isotopic analysis in cosmochemistry and to common analytical procedures and (iv) an overview of important applications of MC-ICP-MS in cosmochemistry. This last section highlights selected novel findings and their scientific significance, while also discussing particular analytical procedures and potential pitfalls. 

The following sections provide an overview of the use of MC-ICP-MS in cosmochemistry. To this end, the text highlights selected novel findings and their scientific significance, while also discussing any particular analytical procedures and potential problems. 

Chapters 2 and 3 present an overview of single- and multi-collector ICP-MS instrumentation and their respective capabUities. Also appropriate ways to overcome spectral overlap are addressed. As the ICP is a robust ion source operated at atmospheric pressure, there are various means of sample introduction. Although pneumatic nebulization of sample solution is the standard approach, LA of solid material avoids the need for digestion in bulk analysis, and also allows spatially resolved information to be obtained. Recent advances in LA are discussed in Chapter 4, in which the fundamental technical challenges associated with the handling of transient signals are also considered. 

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry is now such an important technique in archaeology, as elsewhere, that we devote a whole chapter to it. There are now a number of different ICP MS modes of operation (solution analysis, laser ablation, multicollector, high resolution) this chapter provides a general overview. Further description of the instrumentation for ICP MS may be found in Harris (1997) and Montaser (1998). Some general applications of solution ICP MS are discussed by Date and Gray (1989), Platzner (1997), and Kennett et al. (2001). 

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