Inductively Coupled Plasma Mas Spectrometry ICPMS

elemental analysis
- elemental analysis stands out from other analytical technique for its ion source and sample introduction system.
ICP MS can be connected to LC or GC system.
- Plasma: state of atoms, ions, electrons, at there excited state. Argon is mostly used as plasma gas in ICP and it is ionized less then 0.1%.
- How is plasma created? electron stream (generated by high voltage) collides to argon current, accelerated electrons + Ar---> Ar ions + 2 electrons (low speed), the ionization can be caused by charge transfer or penning ionization : M+Ar+ ---> M+* + Ar, M+Ar*---> M+ + Ar. the ionization efficiency depending on the ionization energy.
double charge ions can be produced which causes spectral interferences. different ions with the same mass to charge ratio.

the charge below show

- Plasma is characterized by Temperature
When sample droplet is introduced into an icp discharge.
samples are introduced as gas/vapour or wet or dry aerosols
 - Detector will detect the ions according its mass/charge ratio.