New High Temperature Plasmas And Sample Introduction Systems For Analytical Atomic Emission And Mass Spectrometry

In this project, new high temperature plasmas and new sample introduction systems are developed for rapid elemental and isotopic analysis of gases, solutions, and solids using atomic emission spectrometry (AES) and mass spectrometry (MS). These devices offer promise of solving singularly difficult analytical problems that either exist now or are likely to arise in the future in the various fields of energy generation, environmental pollution, nutrition, and biomedicine. Emphasis is being placed on: (a) generation of annular, helium inductively coupled plasmas (He ICPs) that are suitable for atomization, excitation, and ionization of elements possessing high excitation and ionization energies, with the intent of enhancing the detecting powers of a number of elements, (b) computer modelings of ICP discharges to predict the behavior of new and existing plasmas, (c) diagnostic studies of high-temperature plasmas and sample introduction systems to quantify their fundamental properties, with the ultimate aim to improve analytical performance of atomic spectrometry, (d) development and characterization of new, low-cost sample introduction systems that consume microliter or microgram quantities of samples, and (e) investigation of new membrane separators for stripping solvent from sample aerosol to reduce various interferences and to enhance sensitivity and selectivity in plasma spectrometry. 9 refs.