Noise power spectral characteristics of an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer

Journal Article · Wed Mar 15 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Analytical Chemistry; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ac00181a022· OSTI ID:5242906

Crain, J S; Houk, R S; Eckels, D E ^[1]

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1. Iowa State Univ., Ames (USA)

The noise power spectra of {sup 85}Rb{sup +} signal and {sup 93}Nb{sup +} signal from an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer were measured at the same plasma conditions as were those of Sr II emission from the plasma itself. Comparison of these spectra showed that discrete frequency noise in the emission at the mass spectrometer sampling orifice is nearly identical with that in the mass spectrometric signal and that white noise in the mass spectrometer signal was higher than that found in the emission signal. The dependence of noise frequencies on plasma operating conditions was generally the same for both measurements and was generally the same as that expected of emission from the plasma alone, i.e., when the plasma was not being sampled for mass spectrometry. However, discrete frequency noise in emission from the plasma alone differed substantially in frequency from that in the mass spectrometric signal. These results indicate that the plasma is the source of discrete frequency noise in the mass spectrometric signal and that the discrete noise frequencies can be affected by changes in plasma gas dynamics due to interaction between the plasma and the mass spectrometer sampling interface. The major source of signal instability in this particular inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer was found to be 1/f noise.

• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-82
• OSTI ID: 5242906
• Journal Information: Analytical Chemistry; (USA), Journal Name: Analytical Chemistry; (USA) Vol. 61:6; ISSN 0003-2700; ISSN ANCHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400102* -- Chemical & Spectral Procedures
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
ALKALI METAL ISOTOPES
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
CATIONS
CHARGED PARTICLES
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
IONS
ISOMERIC TRANSITION ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
MASS SPECTROMETERS
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
NIOBIUM 93
NIOBIUM COMPOUNDS
NIOBIUM ISOTOPES
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
PERFORMANCE
PLASMA
RADIOISOTOPES
REFRACTORY METAL COMPOUNDS
RUBIDIUM 85
RUBIDIUM COMPOUNDS
RUBIDIUM ISOTOPES
SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO
SPECTROMETERS
SPECTROSCOPY
STABLE ISOTOPES
STRONTIUM COMPOUNDS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES