ICP-MS

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICPMS) is an extremely sensitive analysis technique with the capability of measuring multi-element concentrations in a given sample from ultra-trace to major component levels. 

In “conventional ICPMS”, liquid samples, or dissolved solids, are converted to an aerosol via a nebulizer/ spray chamber assembly. A stream of argon gas carries a portion of this aerosol into an argon plasma, operating at a temperature of approximately 8000 K, where the analytes in the sample are subsequently ionized. 
   
Analyte ions are extracted from the plasma, through sampling and skimmer cones, into a low vacuum region. A series of ion lenses focus the ion beam into a quadrupole device, which separates the ions according to their mass-to-charge ratio. Using this method, most elements in the periodic table, from Lithium to Uranium, can be measured and quantified with detection limits of standard ICPMS.

Enhanced ICPMS

Enhanced ICPMS involves the use of alternative sample introduction systems, such as a desolvation apparatus, plasma conditions, such as cold plasma, or analyzer modifications, such as collision/ reaction cells to enhance sensitivity or remove matrix interferences thereby lowering detection limits.