Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES)

There are two ways of viewing the light emitted from an ICP.

In the classical ICP-OES configuration, the light across the plasma is viewed radially, resulting in the highest upper linear ranges. By viewing the light emitted by the sample looking axially or down the center of the plasma, the continuum background from the ICP itself is reduced and the sample path is maximized. Axial viewing provides better detection limits than those obtained by radial viewing by as much as a factor of 10. The most effective systems allow the plasma to be viewed in either orientation in a single analysis, providing the best detection capabilities and widest working ranges. Detection limits are significantly better than flame atomic absorption, and less interferences than graphite furnace atomic absorption. Typical detection limits are 1 to 10 ppb.

Besides having less interferences then either flame or graphite furnace atomic absorption, the technique provides for the ability to analyze multiple elements in a single sample verse single element analysis by either atomic absorption techniques. Our Simultaneous ICP instrument can screen for up to 60 elements in a single sample run, with no compromise of precision or detection limits. The technique's productivity, accuracy and precision, even at very low levels, make ICP-OES the choice for quality, regulatory and research applications.