Performance characteristics of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with high mass resolution

Abstract

A laboratory prototype is described of a new ICP-MS system with high mass resolution, based on a double focusing magnetic field analyser, which has been especially designed for application in elemental analysis. The performance characteristics of this instrument are summarized comparing operation in a low resolution mode (R=300) and a high resolution mode (R=3000) with reference to common quadrupole instruments with (nearly) unit resolution. Most of the typical spectral interferences can be resolved. Detection limits were achieved of one order of magnitude and more below those obtained with quadrupole instruments. Several operational features of the instrument are described.

Measurement of Trace Elements in Proteins Extracted from Liver by Size Exclusion Chromatography-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry with a Magnetic Sector Mass Spectrometer

“…A Finnigan MAT ELEMENT ICP-MS was used (12,13,17). ICP conditions: outer gas flow rate 14 L min Ϫ1 , auxiliary gas flow rate 0.8 L min Ϫ1 , forward power 1.25 kW, sampling position 10 mm from load coil, on center, unshielded load coil.…”

“…For some important elements, such as Fe, S, and P, ICP-MS with a quadrupole mass analyzer suffers from polyatomic interference problems. The use of a magnetic sector mass analyzer can overcome many of these spectral interference problems (11)(12)(13). Compared to quadrupoles, sector instruments also provide extremely low instrumental background, improved sensitivity in low resolution for isotopes that are not prone to spectral interference, and very good detection limits (0.1 to 1 ppt) for nearly all elements.…”

“…It is important for the metabolism of hormones. The liver plays a role in vitamin economy by serving as a storage organ for vitamins A and B 12 . It also stores glycogen, fat, and probably proteins.…”

High Purity Metals as Primary Calibration Materials for Elemental Analysis-Their Importance and Their Certification

“…Low mass fractions of "metallic" impurities were preferably determined by ICP mass spectrometry using a high resolution sector field mass spectrometer (HR ICP MS). The advantages of this method for the described task are: its broad element coverage with fast multi-element capability, its high selectivity in high resolution mode [6][7][8] and its high sensitivity when low resolution mode was used.…”

Inductively coupled plasma- and glow discharge plasma-sector field mass spectrometry : Part I. Tutorial: Fundamentals and instrumentation

“…The resulting instrument, the Element, was presented in 1993 and was introduced to the market in 1994. [62][63][64][65] An improved version of this instrument, the Element 2, was launched in 1998.…”