Brief Summary of Techniques and Instrument Designs

FIGURE 9.3 A graphite furnace module. This module is approximately 6 in. across. 

ICP is an emission technique, which means that it does not use a light source. The light measured is the light emitted by the atoms and monoatomic ions in the atomizer. The ICP atomizer is an extremely hot plasma, which is a high-temperature ionized gas composed of electrons and positive ions confined by a magnetic held. The extremely high temperature means that the atoms and monoatomic ions undergo sufficient excitation (and de-excitation) such that relatively intense emission spectra result. The sample is drawn in with a vacuum mechanism that will be described. The intensity of an emission line is measured and related to concentration. 

---