Function and setup of the PlasmaQuant PQ 9000
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Edition 05/2014
PlasmaQuant PQ 9000
subsequent assembly unnecessary. On the other hand, this torch has to be completely replaced
when worn.
Figure 6
Demountable torch
Figure 7
One-piece torch
The PlasmaQuant PQ 9000 includes a special V Shuttle Torch design. The up-right
arrangement of the torch reduces clogging and soot formation.
The torch is mounted with the holder (shuttle) onto the rail guide. Doing so automatically
connects the internal gas inlets for the plasma and auxiliary gas. The torch is then moved by
hand along the rail guide to the plasma compartment where it locks in the adjusted operating
position.
Optical system
In the PlasmaQuant PQ 9000, analyte emission in plasma is observed from two directions, axial
and radial (DualView PLUS). The emission radiation is selectively coupled via the transfer
optics from one of the two directions to the monochromator. The working range is increased by
attenuating both directions of observation.
The selectivity of analysis is implemented by the high-resolution double monochromator on the
basis of a prism and an echelle grating monochromator (High-Resolution Optics). This achieves
a very compact design and a high spectral resolution which corresponds to a spectral resolution
of < 2 pm per pixel at 200 nm. The monochromator is wavelength-stabilized by the use of an
integrated neon source. Wavelength reproducibility is achieved by the internal Ne-line
calibration of the monochromator when approaching a wavelength.
A low noise, UV-sensitive semiconductor detector (CCD line detector) is located at the exit slit of
the monochromator. This detector not only registers the intensity of the analysis line, but also its
spectral neighborhood. In this way, a spectral range of up to 1 nm in the vicinity of the analysis
line is detected simultaneously and at a high resolution.
