Function and design
PlasmaQuant 9100 (Elite)
16
The aerosol of the measurement solution required for atomization/ionization in the
plasma is generated by a pneumatic concentric nebulizer. An argon flow is directed past
the sample nozzle of the nebulizer as nebulizer gas. The gas flow continuously tears the
surface of the liquid at the nozzle and produces small sample droplets. The sample
aerosol that is formed is transported with the nebulizer gas through the spray chamber
to the plasma. A cyclone chamber is used as the spray chamber. On the way through the
spray chamber, large droplets in the spray chamber are separated by the centrifugal
force and flow out via the waste outlet.
Figure 5 Concentric nebulizer and spray chamber
An ultrasound nebulizer is provided as an optional accessory. It delivers a high aerosol
yield for aqueous solutions. Also, the ultrasound nebulizer can remove interfering sol-
vents from the measuring gas via control of the temperature (heating range:
120 to 160 °C, cooling range: -20 to +10 °C). This results in high signal intensity. In in-
creases the sensitivity and lowers the detection limits.
Special sample supply systems
Analytik Jena AG provides optimized sample supply systems for special applications.
Sample supply system
Application
Standard Kit
Standard applications: Environmental sam-
ples, foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals
HF Kit
Digestions containing hydrofluoric acid:
Metals, ceramics, rare earths
Organic Kit
Organic samples: Crude oil, petrochemical
products such as kerosene, organic solvents
Salt Kit
Highly saline sample: Brine, corrosive solu-
tions or solutions containing sulfur, seawa-
ter
3.2.3
Optical system
In both device models, analyte emission in plasma is observed from two directions, axial
and radial (DualView PLUS). The emission radiation is selectively coupled via the trans-
fer optics from either direction to the monochromator. The working range is increased
by attenuating both observational directions.
For the PlasmaQuant PQ 9100 Elite, 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). Due to the echelle grating's large blaze angle
of 76°, spectral resolution is 0.002 nm at 200 nm.
The spectral resolution of the PlasmaQuant PQ 9100 is 0.006 nm at 200 nm.
On both models, the monochromator is wavelength-stabilized via the use of an inte-
grated neon emitter. Wavelength reproducibility is achieved by the internal Ne-line cali-
bration of the monochromator when approaching a wavelength.