Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Analytical Spectrometry: A Compact Facility for Trace Analysis of Solutions

This paper describes a compact inductively coupled plasma-optical emission system for the trace determination of metallic elements in solution. Theoretical considerations are presented to determine operating parameters which agree well with the empirically determined values. The aerosol desolvation system commonly used with this type of source has been eliminated, and pneumatic nebulization is employed in place of the more elaborate ultrasonic method. Some characteristics of the plasma are reported. Detection limits are in the range 0.1–10 ng/ml for most elements studied. The present facility is readily adaptable to simultaneous multielement trace analysis. © 1974, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.