Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (ICP–MS): Overview

Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (ICP–MS): Overview

In inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS), an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) torch is used as an atomizer and ionizer. Solid samples are dissolved and volatilized before being introduced into the high-temperature argon plasma, while solution samples are nebulized and passed through the high-temperature argon plasma. Plasma dissociates the analytes and ionizes their component atoms to form a mixture of positive ions and molecular species. The positive ions are then passed on to...

Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Principle

Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Principle

Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) is the most widely used plasma source in atomic emission spectroscopy (AES), also known as Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The ICP source, or torch, consists of three concentric quartz tubes with argon gas flowing through them. A spark from a Tesla coil initiates the ionization of argon, generating a high-temperature plasma.
The ions and electrons produced interact with the fluctuating magnetic field created by a water-cooled...

Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Instrumentation

Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Instrumentation

The instrumentation of atomic emission spectrometry (AES) involves various components, including atomization devices that convert samples into gas-phase atoms and ions. There are two main types of atomization devices: continuous and discrete atomizers. Continuous atomizers, like plasmas and flames, introduce samples in a constant stream, while discrete atomizers inject individual samples using syringes or autosamplers. The most common discrete atomizer is the electrothermal atomizer.

Electrospray Ionization (ESI) Mass Spectrometry

Electrospray Ionization (ESI) Mass Spectrometry

Higher molecular weight biomolecules are nonvolatile compounds that may decompose before ionizing or vaporizing during mass analysis with conventional electron impact ionization methods. Accordingly, electrospray ionization (ESI) is the favored method for vaporizing and ionizing biomolecules as it circumvents rapid fragmentation and enables the recording of mass signals for the entire biomolecule.
ESI utilizes electrical energy to transfer ions from the liquid phase of the sample into the...

Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Lab

Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Lab

AES is a powerful analytical technique, especially effective when used with plasma sources, producing abundant spectra in characteristic emission lines. The Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP), in particular, yields superior quantitative analytical data due to its high stability, low noise, low background, and minimal interferences under optimal experimental conditions. However, newer air-operated microwave sources are emerging as promising alternatives that could be more cost-effective than...

Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Instrumentation

Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Instrumentation

Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) is the common plasma source used in atomic emission spectroscopy (AES), a technique that detects and analyzes various elements in a sample. This method is often called inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES).
There are three main types of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) instruments: sequential, simultaneous multichannel, and Fourier transform instruments, with the latter being less commonly used.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

An Absolute Quantitative Approach to Study the Desorption Step in Plasma-Based Ambient MS Methods.

Analytical chemistry·2026

Same author

Enhancing Biocompatibility: 3D-Printed Cyclic Olefin Copolymer Structures for Advanced Laboratory Applications.

3D printing and additive manufacturing·2025

Same author

Efficient and Wide Chemical-Space Ionization of Organic Contaminants Using LC-MS with a Miniaturized Plasma Source Applying Different Discharge Gases.

Analytical chemistry·2025

Same author

Insight into Desorption Mechanisms in a Helium Low-Temperature Plasma Ionization Source Using Computational Simulations.

Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry·2025

Same author

Seamless analysis of liquid samples by coupling a thermal desorption chip with ion mobility spectrometry.

Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry·2025

Same author

Instrumental developments in drift tube ion mobility spectrometry: A review on miniaturization, new manufacturing techniques, and pre-separation.

Analytica chimica acta·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Using a Cyclic Ion Mobility Spectrometer for Tandem Ion Mobility Experiments

Using a Cyclic Ion Mobility Spectrometer for Tandem Ion Mobility Experiments

Published on: January 20, 2022

Micro-plasma: a novel ionisation source for ion mobility spectrometry.

Wolfgang Vautz¹, Antje Michels, Joachim Franzke

¹ISAS - Institute for Analytical Sciences, Bunsen-Kirchhoff-Strasse 11, 44139, Dortmund, Germany. vautz@isas.de

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry

|May 27, 2008

Summary

A novel helium plasma ionizer significantly enhances ion mobility spectrometry (IMS), offering 100x greater sensitivity and improved selectivity for gas analysis compared to traditional methods.

More Related Videos

A Microfluidic Chip for ICPMS Sample Introduction

A Microfluidic Chip for ICPMS Sample Introduction

Published on: March 5, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Using a Cyclic Ion Mobility Spectrometer for Tandem Ion Mobility Experiments

Using a Cyclic Ion Mobility Spectrometer for Tandem Ion Mobility Experiments

Published on: January 20, 2022

A Microfluidic Chip for ICPMS Sample Introduction

A Microfluidic Chip for ICPMS Sample Introduction

Published on: March 5, 2015

Area of Science:

Analytical Chemistry
Spectroscopy
Physical Chemistry

Background:

Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) is crucial for analyzing gas-phase analytes at low concentrations (ppb(v)-ppt(v)).
Conventional ionization methods in IMS face limitations like low sensitivity (UV light), instability (partial discharge), or regulatory issues (radioactive sources).

Purpose of the Study:

To introduce and evaluate a miniaturized helium plasma as a novel ionization source for IMS.
To compare the performance of plasma-based IMS against traditional beta-radiation IMS.

Main Methods:

A miniaturized helium plasma was developed and integrated as an ionization source into an ion mobility spectrometer.
Experimental comparisons were conducted between the plasma IMS and a beta-radiation IMS system.
Optimization of helium flow, plasma electric field, and IMS electric field was performed to assess sensitivity and selectivity.

Main Results:

The plasma IMS demonstrated significantly higher sensitivity and selectivity compared to beta-radiation IMS.
Plasma IMS achieved approximately 100 times greater sensitivity than beta-radiation ionization.
Variable sensitivity and selectivity were achieved by adjusting helium flow, plasma electric field, and IMS electric field.

Conclusions:

Miniaturized helium plasma is a superior ionization source for IMS, offering enhanced performance.
Plasma IMS provides a sensitive, selective, and tunable alternative to conventional ionization techniques.
The developed plasma IMS system shows promise for various analytical applications requiring high sensitivity detection.