Polyatomic Interference
Definition
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 arsenic-75 in HCl matrices, or argon dimer on selenium-80. The dominant accuracy problem in low-resolution ICP-MS, addressed by collision or reaction cells, mathematical correction, cool-plasma operation, or a sector analyser.
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...
- 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...
- 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 ion formed in the plasma at the same nominal mass as a target analyte, for example argon-oxide on iron-56, argon-chloride on arsenic-75 in HCl matrices, or...