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Collision and Reaction Cell (CRC)

Definition

A pressurised cell between the skimmer and the quadrupole, charged with helium for kinetic-energy-discrimination collision mode or with hydrogen, ammonia or oxygen for chemical-resolution mode. Helium knocks larger polyatomics off course; reactive gases convert or mass-shift the interference. The CRC is what made quadrupole ICP-MS routine for arsenic, selenium and chromium in real matrices.

Related terms

Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP)
An argon discharge sustained at 6000 to 10000 K by an RF coil at 27.12 MHz wrapped around a quartz torch. Argon...
Isotope Ratio Analysis
Measurement of relative abundances of two or more isotopes of an element to 0.01 to 0.5 percent precision. Lead ratios fingerprint the...
Optical Emission Spectrometry (OES)
Detection arm in which excited atoms emit photons at characteristic wavelengths as they relax. A polychromator separates the light by wavelength and...
Polyatomic Interference
An ion formed in the plasma at the same nominal mass as a target analyte, for example argon-oxide on iron-56, argon-chloride on...
Quadrupole ICP-MS
Detection arm in which positive ions are extracted from the plasma through sampler and skimmer cones into a quadrupole mass filter that...

Explained in

  • Atomic Emission: ICP-OES and ICP-MSA pressurised cell between the skimmer and the quadrupole, charged with helium for kinetic-energy-discrimination collision mode or with hydrogen, ammonia or ox...

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