Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 15, 2026
03:49
Quantitative Analysis of Vacuum Induction Melting by Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy
Published on: June 10, 2019
7.8K
Pulsed microdischarge with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for elemental analysis on solid metal samples
Analytical Chemistry
|April 9, 2015
Summary
Pulsed microdischarge offers superior direct solid analysis compared to direct current (DC) microdischarge. This advanced method enhances sample ablation and emission, leading to significantly improved detection limits when coupled with ICP-MS.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Plasma Physics
Background:
- Direct solid analysis is crucial for material characterization.
- Microdischarge sources offer a compact and efficient approach for elemental analysis.
- Distinguishing between pulsed and direct current (DC) microdischarge characteristics is key for optimizing analytical performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the performance of pulsed microdischarge as a source for direct solid analysis.
- To compare pulsed microdischarge with DC microdischarge in terms of ablation and emission characteristics.
- To evaluate the analytical capabilities of pulsed microdischarge when coupled with ICP-MS.
Main Methods:
- Characterization of pulsed and DC microdischarge using voltage-current data, current density (j), and electron density (ne).
- Assessment of sample ablation efficiency for metal samples.
- Optical emission spectroscopy to analyze plasma composition and vibrational temperatures.
- Coupling with Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) for elemental analysis.
Main Results:
- Pulsed microdischarge operates in the arc regime, while DC microdischarge operates in the glow regime.
- Pulsed microdischarge demonstrates enhanced instantaneous energy for efficient sample ablation.
- Optical emission spectroscopy revealed primary atomic and ionic lines of the sample in pulsed mode, unlike DC mode.
- N2 vibrational temperatures differed significantly between pulsed and DC microdischarge.
- Pulsed microdischarge coupled with ICP-MS showed improved calibration linearity and lower limits of detection (LODs).
- Using an Ar/N2 mixture improved transmission efficiency, achieving ng/g LODs for most elements.
Conclusions:
- Pulsed microdischarge is a viable and advantageous source for direct solid analysis.
- The enhanced ablation and emission properties of pulsed microdischarge lead to superior analytical performance.
- Optimized gas mixtures (Ar/N2) further enhance detection capabilities, enabling trace-level analysis.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (ICP–MS): Overview
2.8K
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...
2.8K
01:19Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Principle
2.4K
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...
The ions and electrons produced interact with the fluctuating magnetic field created by a water-cooled...
2.4K
01:29Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Lab
839
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...
839
01:20Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS): Interferences
1.7K
Inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS) is a highly selective and sensitive technique for accurate elemental analysis. Though the analysis of ICP–MS mass spectra is comparatively straightforward, it is affected by spectroscopic and non-spectroscopic interferences. Spectroscopic interferences arise when the plasma contains ionic species with an m/z value the same as the analyte ion. Spectroscopic interference can be categorized as isobaric, polyatomic ions, and...
1.7K
01:22Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Instrumentation
1.6K
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.
1.6K
01:20Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Overview
4.4K
Atomic emission spectroscopy (AES) is an analytical technique used to determine the elemental composition of a sample by analyzing the light emitted from excited atoms. In AES, atoms in a sample are excited to higher energy levels by thermal energy from high-temperature sources, such as plasma, arcs, or sparks. When these excited atoms return to lower energy states, they emit light at specific wavelengths characteristic of each element. The resulting atomic emission spectrum, which consists of...
4.4K