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U.S. Department of Energy
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Plasma sources and ion traps-present status and future vision

Conference ·
OSTI ID:273573
; ;  [1]
  1. Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (United States)
Ion traps, specifically quadrupole or Paul-type ion traps, have become popular, inexpensive, and versatile mass spectrometers for both organic and inorganic analysis. For the latter application, recent investigations have demonstrated the promise of combining ICP or glow discharge plasma sources with such mass spectrometer devices; other plasma sources are likely equally compatible. Ion traps provide unique ion selection, isolation, manipulation, and detection advantages relative to conventional beam-type mass spectrometers. Such advantages can potentially be used for selective ion accumulation, interferant ion destruction or elimination, background reduction, and enhanced sensitivity. The combination of inorganic ion sources with this new mass spectrometric technique is thus of natural topical interest. The author`s specific research activities in this area have involved the use of an ICP ion source with ion trap mass spectrometry technique is thus of natural topical interest. Specific research activities in this area have involved the use of an ICP ion source with ion trap mass spectrometry. To date, two prototype instruments have been built and tested. Qualitative studies have indicated near-complete destruction of problematic polyatomic ions and neutralization of primary plasma-produced ions. Quantitative investigations have indicated that detection limits of 10 ppt, abundance sensitivity of 1x10{sup 5}, and analytically useful ion capacities of 5x10{sup 4} are obtainable. Current efforts are focused on enhancement of system sensitivity and mass resolution using broadband resonant rejection, phase-locked ejection, and pulsed buffer gas techniques. In manner of review, a small but growing group of ion trap users is developing in the elemental and isotopic analysis field. Current efforts will be reviewed and summarized, along with a prognosis for future directions and applications of this newly arrived technology.
DOE Contract Number:
AC06-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
273573
Report Number(s):
CONF-960113--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English