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ICP-MS
Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) is a very powerful tool for trace (ppb-ppm) and ultra-trace (ppq-ppb) elemental analysis. ICP-MS is rapidly becoming the technique of choice in many analytical laboratories for the accurate and precise measurements needed for today’s demanding applications. ICP MS

In ICP-MS, a plasma or gas consisting of ions, electrons and neutral particles is formed from Argon gas. The plasma is used to atomize and ionize the elements in a sample. The resulting ions are then passed through a series of apertures (cones) into the high vacuum mass analyzer. The isotopes of the elements are identified by their mass-to-charge ratio (m/e) and the intensity of a specific peak in the mass spectrum is proportional to the amount of that isotope (element) in the original sample. ICP MS
The following pages describe the instrument and the techniques:

  • Creating the Ions The inductively-coupled plasma is a very aggressive ion source...
  • Sampling the Ions A special set of metal cones and ion-focusing elements are used to extract the charged atoms from the plasma...
  • Analysis Methods At MURR we have a choice of two ICP analysis methods.
  • Comparisons of Techniques
    • Quadropole ICP-MS is able to differentiate easily between the different isotopes of a single element or between one element and another of differing mass.
      • Advantanges
      • Disadvantages
    • High-Resolution ICP-MS is able to resolve most isotopes from any molecular species that would otherwise interfere with their analysis.
      • Advantanges
      • Disadvantages
  • The Analysis: Calibration Any sample entered into the mass spectrometer under exactly the same conditions will return a count rate, which can be converted directly to concentration for each element from a calibration curve.
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MURR Introduction to the nation's premier university research reactor MURR Research and Development--R&D at the nation's premier university research reactor MURR Education--training tomorrow's nuclear scientists, engineers and technicians MURR Products and Services--providing quality nuclear products and services to a global community MURR Center homepage MURR Center homepage MURR Operations--safe and reliable University of Missouri-Columbia homepage MURR Site Map


MURR Relicensing
The reactor is in the process of relicensing for another 20 years of nuclear-based research, education and medical and other applications. Check here for project updates.


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Last updated August 2008