A Sample Chamber for Solid Analysis by Laser Ablation/DCP Spectrometry

Most conventional methods of spectrochemical analysis utilize a single high-temperature source in order to both vaporize and atomize the sample. Since these are separate processes, the ideal spectrochemical technique would be able to separate and optimize the individual processes. This is particularly true for the direct determination of metals and cations in solid samples. Several different combinations of techniques have been used to separate the vaporization and atomization processes including: laser vaporization/inductively coupled plasma, laser vaporization/spark excitation, laser vaporization/atomic absorption, laser vaporization/microwave-induced plasma, spark/microwave-induced plasma, spark/inductively coupled plasma, and graphite furnace/inductively coupled plasma.