Sample introduction in plasma emission and mass spectrometry. Plenary lecture

Abstract

The differences between sample introduction strategies for inductively coupled plasmas when used as either, photon sources for atomic emission spectrometry or ion sources for mass spectrometry are discussed. The concepts of a coupled interface in mass spectrometry detection is contrasted with the uncoupled interface existing in emission spectrometry detection. Differences in the roles that analyte mass transport and solvent mass transport may play in the two types of systems are compared. The influence of various voltages in the mass spectrometer interface on optimum signal response are compared for a representative selection of elements.