Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP)
Definition
An argon discharge sustained at 6000 to 10000 K by an RF coil at 27.12 MHz wrapped around a quartz torch. Argon flows at roughly 15 litres per minute, the coil's oscillating field induces eddy currents in seed electrons, and the discharge is self-sustaining. The plasma simultaneously nebulises, atomises and ionises the sample aerosol introduced through the central injector.
Related terms
- Collision and Reaction Cell (CRC)
- A pressurised cell between the skimmer and the quadrupole, charged with helium for kinetic-energy-discrimination collision mode or with hydrogen, ammonia or oxygen...
- 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-MSAn argon discharge sustained at 6000 to 10000 K by an RF coil at 27.12 MHz wrapped around a quartz torch. Argon flows at roughly 15 litres per minute, the coil...