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Title: Methods for detecting and correcting inaccurate results in inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry

Patent ·
OSTI ID:992859

A method for detecting and correcting inaccurate results in inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). ICP-AES analysis is performed across a plurality of selected locations in the plasma on an unknown sample, collecting the light intensity at one or more selected wavelengths of one or more sought-for analytes, creating a first dataset. The first dataset is then calibrated with a calibration dataset creating a calibrated first dataset curve. If the calibrated first dataset curve has a variability along the location within the plasma for a selected wavelength, errors are present. Plasma-related errors are then corrected by diluting the unknown sample and performing the same ICP-AES analysis on the diluted unknown sample creating a calibrated second dataset curve (accounting for the dilution) for the one or more sought-for analytes. The cross-over point of the calibrated dataset curves yields the corrected value (free from plasma related errors) for each sought-for analyte.

Research Organization:
Indiana University Foundation
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
FG02-98ER14890
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy (Washington, DC)
Patent Number(s):
7,768,639
Application Number:
12/212,915
OSTI ID:
992859
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English