ICP - Optical Section

The sample, in the form of an aerosol, is transported to the plasma, where it is desolvated, vaporised, atomised and excited and/or ionised by the plasma. The excited atoms and ions emit their radiation at a characteristic wavelength. This radiation is detected and can be converted into concentration information.

The ICP-OES has two types of nebulisers: Low-Flow (for general samples) and ultrasonic (for water); as well as two types of spray chambers: Scott and cyclonic.

The samples must be in solution and suitably filtered. The amount of sample required for analysis will depend on the number of elements to be measured, but 10 to 15 mL is generally sufficient.