Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry
(ICP-OES)
Elemental Analysis
What is ICP-OES?
Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), sometimes referred to as ICP-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AE). This instrumental technique can simultaneously determine a wide range of elements in a single sample. For many elements, it can quantitate down to the sub ppb range. Typical samples include those in the environmental, metallurgical, geological, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, materials, and food safety arenas. It can be applied to varying sample types such as aqueous and organic liquids and solids. Some of these sample types need specific sample preparation techniques or the use of specific accessories to allow the sample to be introduced into the ICP-OES instrument.
The advantages of using ICP-OES over other elemental analysis techniques such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) or atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) include its wide linear dynamic range, high matrix tolerance, and the enhanced speed of analysis that can be achieved.
How does ICP-OES work?
A plasma is a gas, in this case argon, which contains a significant number of argon ions. The plasma is formed by seeding the argon gas passing through a plasma torch with electrons. The electrons are accelerated and collide with argon atoms releasing more electrons and forming argon ions. Elements, in the form of atoms, are introduced into the plasma. A proportion of theses atoms will be become ionized within the plasma. When an atom or ion is excited within the plasma, its electrons move from a lower to higher energy level. Upon relaxation of these electrons to their initial 'ground' state, energy is emitted in the form of photons. The emitted photons possess wavelengths that are characteristic of their respective elements. It is the unique emission spectra of elements that ICP-OES takes advantage of to identify and quantify.
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