System introduction

Other vapor introduction systems are discussed in Parts B and C (Chapters 16 and 17) because, although liquids and solids are ultimately introduced to the plasma flame as vapors, these samples are usually prepared differently from naturally gaseous ones. For example, electrothermal (oven) or laser heating of solids and liquids to form vapors is used extensively to get the samples into the plasma flame. At one extreme with very volatile liquids, no heating is necessary, but, at the other extreme, very high temperatures are needed to vaporize a sample. For convenience, the electrothermal and laser devices are discussed in Part C (Chapter 17) rather than here. 

Sample introduction system. A system used to introduce sample to a mass spectrometer ion source. Sample introduction system, introduction system, sample inlet system, inlet system, and inlet are synonymous terms. 

HR-ICP-MS EEEMENT-2 (Pinnigan MAT, Germany) equipped with a standard introduction system (quartz water-cooled spray chamber, concentric nebulizer, torch with 1.5 mm i.d. injector and nickel cones) was used for measurements. The following operating conditions were used RP power 1150 W, coolant gas flow rate 16 1 min k auxiliary gas flow rate 0.85 1 min nebulizer gas flow rate 1.2 1 min k Sample uptake rate was 0.8-1 ml min k Measurements were performed with low and middle resolutions. Rh was used as an internal standard. Por calibration working standard solutions were prepared by diluting the multielemental stock solutions CPMS (SPEX, USA) with water to concentration range from 5 ng to 5 p.g I k... 

An ICP-OES instrument consists of a sample introduction system, a plasma torch, a plasma power supply and impedance matcher, and an optical measurement system (Figure 1). The sample must be introduced into the plasma in a form that can be effectively vaporized and atomized (small droplets of solution, small particles of solid or vapor). The plasma torch confines the plasma to a diameter of about 18 mm. Atoms and ions produced in the plasma are excited and emit light. The intensity of light emitted at wavelengths characteristic of the particular elements of interest is measured and related to the concentration of each element via calibration curves. 

Detection limits for a particular sample depend on a number of parameters, including observation height in the plasma, applied power, gas flow rates, spectrometer resolution, integration time, the sample introduction system, and sample-induced background or spectral overlaps. ... 

There are several types of sample introduction systems available for GC analysis. These include gas sampling valves, split and splitless injectors, on-column injection systems, programmed-temperature injectors, and concentrating devices. The sample introduction device used depends on the application. 

Every mass spectrometer consists of four principal components (Fig 1) (1) the source, where a beam of gaseous ions are produced from the sample (2) the analyzer, where the ion beam is resolved into its characteristic mass species (3) the detector, where the ions are detected and their intensities measured (4) the sample introduction system to vaporize and admit the sample into the ion source. There is a wide variety in each of these components and only those types which are relevant to analytical and organic mass spectrometry will be emphasized in this survey. The instrumentation... 

Sample introduction system i 1 Sample Ion Unresolved accelerated Mass Resolved 1 Detectorj Recorder... 

Sample Introduction and Transfer System. The sample Introduction and sample transfer system is a lengthened version of the PHI Model 15-720B Introduction system which consists of a polymer bellows-covered heating and cooling probe, a transferable sample holder, an eight-port dual-axis cross, and the mlnlreactor Interface port and transfer probe (Figure 2). There Is also a transfer vessel port with the necessary transfer probe for Introduction of air sensitive samples. They are not part of the reactor/surface analysis system. The dual cross and attached hardware are supported by the probe drive mechanism which floats on a block driven vertically and transversely by two micrometers. These micrometers plus the probe drive mechanism allow X-Y-2... 

Ion extraction. The aspirated or laser ablated sample is transported from the sample introduction system into the center of the torch by a 1 1/min flow of Ar carrier gas where it is immediately dissociated and ionized by energy transfer with the hot -6000 K temperature of the surrounding Ar plasma. Ionization efficiencies are >95% for U and Th (Jarvis et al., 1992). For laser ablation sampling, helium may be employed as the carrier... 

Introduction Systems in Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy.987... 

The ideal seuiple introduction system should reproducibly and conveniently Insert a range of selectable sample volumes into the column as a sharp plug without adversely affecting the efficiency... 

INTERFACE REQOIREHENTS FOR CHROMATOGRAPHIC SAMPLE INTRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN NASS SPECTRCHtETRY... 

In ICP-AES and ICP-MS, sample mineralisation is the Achilles heel. Sample introduction systems for ICP-AES are numerous gas-phase introduction, pneumatic nebulisation (PN), direct-injection nebulisation (DIN), thermal spray, ultrasonic nebulisation (USN), electrothermal vaporisation (ETV) (furnace, cup, filament), hydride generation, electroerosion, laser ablation and direct sample insertion. Atomisation is an essential process in many fields where a dispersion of liquid particles in a gas is required. Pneumatic nebulisation is most commonly used in conjunction with a spray chamber that serves as a droplet separator, allowing droplets with average diameters of typically <10 xm to pass and enter the ICP. Spray chambers, which reduce solvent load and deal with coarse aerosols, should be as small as possible (micro-nebulisation [177]). Direct injection in the plasma torch is feasible [178]. Ultrasonic atomisers are designed to specifically operate from a vibrational energy source [179]. 

In Figure 8.12, the basic set-up of an ICP-MS instrument is presented as a block diagram, consisting of a sample introduction system, the inductively coupled argon plasma (ICP) and the mass-specific detector. By far the most commonly applied sample introduction technique is a pneumatic nebuliser, in which a stream of argon (typically 1 I.min ), expanding with high... 

Diversity in sample introduction systems (nebulisation, coupbng, sobd sampbng)... 

Several authors [386,387] have discussed the spectroscopic and nonspectroscopic (matrix) interferences in ICP-MS. ICP-MS is more susceptible to nonspectroscopic matrix interferences than ICP-AES [388-390]. Matrix interferences are perceptible by suppression and (sometimes) enhancement of the analyte signal. This enhanced susceptibility has to be related to the use of the mass spectrometer as a detection system. In fact, since both techniques use the same (or comparable) sample introduction systems (nebulisers, spray chambers, etc.) and argon plasmas (torches, generators, etc.), it is reasonable to assume that, as far as these parts are concerned, interferences are comparable. The most severe limitation of ICP-MS consists of polyatomic... 

The extension of inductively coupled plasma (ICP) atomic emission spectrometry to seawater analysis has been slow for two major reasons. The first is that the concentrations of almost all trace metals of interest are 1 xg/l or less, below detection limits attainable with conventional pneumatic nebulisation. The second is that the seawater matrix, with some 3.5% dissolved solids, is not compatible with most of the sample introduction systems used with ICP. Thus direct multielemental trace analysis of seawater by ICP-AES is impractical, at least with pneumatic nebulisation. In view of this, a number of alternative strategies can be considered ... 

Formation of distinct adducts with ions originating from the buffer, the sample and/or the introduction system (e.g. H+, Na+, K+, Cl-, CH3COO -) and the formation of cluster and multiply charged ions [1]. 

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