Emergence and impact of alternative sources and mass analyzers in plasma source mass spectrometry

Abstract

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) has become an invaluable tool for the measurement of elemental concentrations in samples of all kinds. However, the ICP was by far not the first source employed for elemental mass spectrometry, and arguments can be made that it is not the best, especially in specific situations. Chemical flames, arcs, sparks, microwave plasmas, glow discharges, electrospray sources, thermal-ionization sources, and novel atmospheric-pressure plasmas have all been explored and many, such as the thermal-ionization source, occupy a niche in the analytical arsenal that is unlikely to be occupied by an ICP of the present form. Similarly, quadrupole mass filters and sector-field spectrometers that are now the most commonly used are not the only ones that have been coupled with plasma sources for elemental determinations. Others, such as Fouriertransform mass spectrometers, ion traps, time-of-flight mass spectrometers, and multi-channel detector systems have all been joined with ICPs and other sources to yield improved capabilities in targeted applications. In this manuscript, these alternative sources and mass analyzers will be examined; greatest emphasis will be placed on mass analyzers, for brevity. This historical walk through instrumental developments will be a somewhat subjective one, taken from the author's viewpoint and including a number of personal experiences and those involving his research group. It will be shown that exciting opportunities exist for even greater capabilities from future instrumentation for plasma source mass spectrometry.

An Overview of Atomic Spectrometric Techniques

“…The remarkable attributes of such a combination include: 11,12 very low detection limits for many elements; availability of isotopic information in a relatively simple spectrum; acceptable levels of accuracy and precision.…”

Atomic Spectroscopy: A Review

“…In addition to the journals mentioned in the first section of this article, the following journals were considered for the selection of the papers: Applied Spectroscopy, International Journal of Mass Spectrometry, TRAC-Trends in Analytical Chemistry, Rapid Communication in Mass Spectrometry, Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry, Mass Spectrometry Reviews, Proteomics, and Metallomics. In an interesting paper by Hieftje (206), the reader is guided on a somewhat subjective historical walk through instrumental developments. It is based on the author's viewpoint and on both his personal and his research group's experiences.…”

“…A similar technique was used by Heilmann et al (289) for simultaneous determination of trace metals in different oil samples. Metallo-organic solutions of isotope spikes ( 50 V, 53 Cr, 65 Cu, 57 Fe, 62 Ni, 68 Zn, 113 Cd, 117 Sn, and 206 Pb) were prepared from corresponding aqueous stock solutions by the use of liquid-liquid extraction of complexed metal ions. The isotope-diluted sample was absorbed by a cellulose material, which was fixed in a special PTFE holder for ablation, using a laser system with high ablation rates.…”

Inductively coupled plasma- and glow discharge plasma-sector field mass spectrometry : Part I. Tutorial: Fundamentals and instrumentation

“…Additionally, this series of two papers will cover mainly the last 12 years, which is the period after the first reviews related to this topic were published. 1,2 A more comprehensive overview 3 or historic overviews 4,5 can be found elsewhere. It should be mentioned that this review does not cover all general aspects of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and therefore, we recommend all those readers who are not familiar with ICP-MS at all to read the relevant books or book chapters first.…”