JPH09318539A - Icp analyzer - Google Patents

Icp analyzer

Info

Publication number
JPH09318539A
JPH09318539A JP13791596A JP13791596A JPH09318539A JP H09318539 A JPH09318539 A JP H09318539A JP 13791596 A JP13791596 A JP 13791596A JP 13791596 A JP13791596 A JP 13791596A JP H09318539 A JPH09318539 A JP H09318539A
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
plasma
induction coil
plasma torch
torch
generated
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
JP13791596A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
Koji Okada
幸治 岡田
Nobuhiko Nishi
伸彦 西
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Shimadzu Corp
Original Assignee
Shimadzu Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Shimadzu Corp filed Critical Shimadzu Corp
Priority to JP13791596A priority Critical patent/JPH09318539A/en
Publication of JPH09318539A publication Critical patent/JPH09318539A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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  • Other Investigation Or Analysis Of Materials By Electrical Means (AREA)
  • Investigating, Analyzing Materials By Fluorescence Or Luminescence (AREA)

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively prevent a potential rise of plasma as a cause of a drop in sensitivity without using excess parts by arranging the dimensions of a plasma torch and an induction coil in a specified dimensional relationship to restrict a capacitive coupling generated between a plasma within the torch and the induction coil. SOLUTION: The inner diameter of an orifice side end part of a plasma torch 1 is represented by R1 and the inner diameter of an induction coil 2 by R2, the diameter of the plasma torch 1 is made smaller than that of the induction coil 2 to meet R1<R2/2. Therefore, a plasma 8 generated in the plasma torch 1 is separated at a distance from the induction coil 2 to restrict a capacitive coupling generated between the plasma 8 and the induction coil 2. Thus, a potential rise between the plasma 8 and the induction coil 2 can be suppressed to lower the energy of ion extracted from the plasma 8 and the acceleration of the ion flowing into a mass spectrograph is restricted to improve an ion focusing force of a focusing lens of the mass spectrograph thereby achieving a higher sensitivity.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】Detailed Description of the Invention

【0001】[0001]

【発明の属する技術分野】本発明は、イオン源として誘
導結合プラズマを利用して分析を行なうICP分析装置
に関する。
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ICP analysis device for analysis using inductively coupled plasma as an ion source.

【0002】[0002]

【従来の技術】一般に、ICP質量分析装置は、ICP
発光分光分析装置に比較して、検出感度が高く微量分析
が可能であり、また、同位体の分析などにも適している
ことから、近年その利用範囲を拡大しつつある。
2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an ICP mass spectrometer is an ICP mass spectrometer.
Compared with an emission spectroscopic analyzer, it has high detection sensitivity and can perform microanalysis, and is also suitable for isotope analysis and the like, and thus its range of use is expanding in recent years.

【0003】このICP質量分析装置は、図3に示すよ
うに、プラズマトーチ50の外周に同心円状に配置され
た誘導コイル51に高周波電流を流し、この状態でプラ
ズマトーチ50にアルゴンガスを導入して誘導結合プラ
ズマを発生させる。そして、発生した誘導結合プラズマ
に原料の混じったエアロゾルを導入する。これにより生
成されたイオンを真空室52の先端に形成されたオリフ
ィス53を通してその内部に配置された質量分析計54
に導いてイオンの質量分離を行なうようになっている。
なお、55は誘導コイル51に高周波電力を供給する高
周波電源、56はインピーダンスマッチング回路、57
は発生したプラズマである。
In this ICP mass spectrometer, as shown in FIG. 3, a high frequency current is passed through an induction coil 51 arranged concentrically around the outer periphery of a plasma torch 50, and argon gas is introduced into the plasma torch 50 in this state. To generate inductively coupled plasma. Then, the aerosol in which the raw material is mixed is introduced into the generated inductively coupled plasma. The ions generated thereby are passed through an orifice 53 formed at the tip of the vacuum chamber 52, and a mass spectrometer 54 arranged inside thereof.
It is designed to guide the mass separation of ions.
In addition, 55 is a high frequency power source for supplying high frequency power to the induction coil 51, 56 is an impedance matching circuit, 57
Is the generated plasma.

【0004】[0004]

【発明が解決しょうとする課題】ところで、この種のI
CP質量分析装置においては、誘導コイル51は、コイ
ル一端を高周波電源55の高圧側に接続する一方、オリ
フィス側に配置したコイル他端をグランド側に接続して
いる。そのため、プラズマ発生状態において、プラズマ
57と誘導コイル51との間で容量結合を生じさせ、そ
の結果、プラズマ57に容量結合に起因する電位上昇を
引き起こした。
By the way, this type of I
In the CP mass spectrometer, the induction coil 51 has one end connected to the high voltage side of the high frequency power supply 55 and the other end located on the orifice side connected to the ground side. Therefore, in the plasma generation state, the capacitive coupling is generated between the plasma 57 and the induction coil 51, and as a result, the potential increase in the plasma 57 due to the capacitive coupling is caused.

【0005】プラズマ57の電位上昇はプラズマ57に
流れる電流を増加させて質量分析部54に流入するイオ
ンの加速を促す。イオンの加速は、質量分析部54の収
束レンズ(図示省略)のイオン収束力を低下させて検出
感度を悪化させる原因となる。
The rise in the potential of the plasma 57 increases the current flowing in the plasma 57 and accelerates the ions flowing into the mass spectrometric section 54. The acceleration of the ions causes the ion focusing power of the focusing lens (not shown) of the mass spectrometric unit 54 to be reduced, thereby deteriorating the detection sensitivity.

【0006】また、プラズマ57の電位上昇は、プラズ
マ57とオリフィス53との間でいわゆるピンチ放電を
発生させる原因となる。このようなピンチ放電は、オリ
フィス53を損傷させて耐久性を悪化させるうえに、紫
外線ノイズを発生させて質量分析計54の分析精度に悪
影響を及ぼす。
The increase in the potential of the plasma 57 causes a so-called pinch discharge between the plasma 57 and the orifice 53. Such pinch discharge damages the orifice 53 and deteriorates the durability, and also generates ultraviolet noise to adversely affect the analysis accuracy of the mass spectrometer 54.

【0007】このような不都合を引き起こすプラズマ5
7の電位上昇を防止するため、従来から、誘導コイル5
1とプラズマトーチ50との間に、接地したグリットを
設けて電位の上昇を抑えたものがある。しかしながら、
グリットを設けると、部品点数が増加して製造コストを
上昇させるうえに、グリットが高温に晒されるために、
グリットが酸化しやすく、耐久性に欠けるという不都合
があった。
Plasma 5 causing such inconvenience
In order to prevent the potential rise of 7, the induction coil 5
There is one in which a grounded grit is provided between the No. 1 and the plasma torch 50 to suppress an increase in the potential. However,
When the grit is provided, the number of parts increases, the manufacturing cost rises, and the grit is exposed to high temperature.
There was a disadvantage that the grit was easily oxidized and lacked in durability.

【0008】本発明は、このような事情に鑑みてなされ
たものであって、感度低下の原因となるプラズマの電位
上昇を、余分な部品を用いることなく有効に防止するこ
とを課題とする。
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to effectively prevent an increase in plasma potential, which causes a decrease in sensitivity, without using extra parts.

【0009】[0009]

【課題を解決するための手段】本発明は、上記の目的を
達成するために、エアロゾルが導入されるプラズマトー
チと、このプラズマトーチで発生したイオンを分析する
分析部とを有し、前記プラズマトーチの外周には高周波
磁界を発生する誘導コイルが設けられ、前記分析部は真
空室内に配置され、この真空室の前記プラズマトーチの
対向位置にはイオンを真空室内に導入するオリフィスが
形成されているICP分析装置において、次の構成を採
る。
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention comprises a plasma torch into which an aerosol is introduced, and an analysis section for analyzing the ions generated in this plasma torch, An induction coil for generating a high-frequency magnetic field is provided on the outer periphery of the torch, the analysis section is arranged in a vacuum chamber, and an orifice for introducing ions into the vacuum chamber is formed at a position of the vacuum chamber facing the plasma torch. The following configuration is adopted in the existing ICP analyzer.

【0010】すなわち、本発明のICP分析装置におい
て、前記プラズマトーチを前記誘導コイルに比して小径
にして、トーチ内部のプラズマと誘導コイルとの間で生
じる容量結合を抑制した。
That is, in the ICP analyzer according to the present invention, the plasma torch has a smaller diameter than the induction coil to suppress capacitive coupling between the plasma inside the torch and the induction coil.

【0011】[0011]

【発明の実施の形態】図1は本発明の一実施の形態であ
るICP質量分析装置の構成図であり、図2は、その要
部拡大図である。これらの図において、符号1はプラズ
マトーチ、2はプラズマトーチ1の先端部分に設けられ
た誘導コイル、3はプラズマトーチ1に対向して設けら
れた真空室、4は真空室3に設けられた質量分析計、5
は真空室3のプラズマトーチ側端部に設けられたオリフ
ィス、6は誘導コイル2に高周波電力を供給する高周波
電源、7はインピーダンスマッチング回路、8は発生し
たプラズマである。
1 is a block diagram of an ICP mass spectrometer according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part thereof. In these drawings, reference numeral 1 is a plasma torch, 2 is an induction coil provided at the tip of the plasma torch 1, 3 is a vacuum chamber provided facing the plasma torch 1, and 4 is a vacuum chamber 3. Mass spectrometer, 5
Is an orifice provided at the end of the vacuum chamber 3 on the plasma torch side, 6 is a high frequency power source for supplying high frequency power to the induction coil 2, 7 is an impedance matching circuit, and 8 is generated plasma.

【0012】プラズマトーチ1は、図2に示すように、
石英ガラス等でできた3重管構造をしており、最内管1
aにはエアロゾルの試料とキャリアガスとが混合されて
導入される。また、この最内管1aとその外周に配置さ
れた内管1bとの間にはプラズマを安定維持するための
プラズマガスが導入される。さらに、この内管1bとそ
の内管1bの外周に配置された外管1cとの間にはプラ
ズマトーチ1の冷却用の冷却ガスが導入される。
The plasma torch 1 is, as shown in FIG.
The innermost tube has a triple tube structure made of quartz glass, etc.
An aerosol sample and a carrier gas are mixed and introduced into a. Further, a plasma gas for stably maintaining plasma is introduced between the innermost tube 1a and the inner tube 1b arranged on the outer circumference thereof. Further, a cooling gas for cooling the plasma torch 1 is introduced between the inner tube 1b and the outer tube 1c arranged on the outer circumference of the inner tube 1b.

【0013】次に、このICP質量分析装置の特徴とな
る構成を説明する。このICP質量分析装置は、プラズ
マトーチ1の構成に特徴がある。すなわち、プラズマト
ーチ1のオリフィス側端部の内径をR1とし、誘導コイ
ル2の内径をR2とした場合に、 R1<R2/2… となるように、プラズマトーチ1の径を誘導コイル2に
比して小さくしている。したがって、プラズマトーチ1
内に発生するプラズマ8と誘導コイル2との間の距離も
離れて、プラズマ8と誘導コイル2との間で生じる容量
結合が抑制されることになる。これにより、プラズマ8
と誘導コイル2との間の電位上昇が抑えられる結果、プ
ラズマ8から取り出されたイオンのエネルギーが低くな
って質量分析計4に流入するイオンの加速が抑制され
る。流入イオンの加速の抑制により、質量分析計4が有
する収束レンズ(図示省略)のイオン収束力が向上し、
これに伴って質量分析計4の感度が上がる。
Next, the characteristic configuration of this ICP mass spectrometer will be described. This ICP mass spectrometer is characterized by the configuration of the plasma torch 1. That is, when the inner diameter of the end of the plasma torch 1 on the orifice side is R1 and the inner diameter of the induction coil 2 is R2, the diameter of the plasma torch 1 is smaller than that of the induction coil 2 so that R1 <R2 / 2. And is making it smaller. Therefore, the plasma torch 1
The distance between the plasma 8 generated inside and the induction coil 2 is also increased, and the capacitive coupling generated between the plasma 8 and the induction coil 2 is suppressed. As a result, the plasma 8
As a result of suppressing the potential increase between the induction coil 2 and the induction coil 2, the energy of the ions extracted from the plasma 8 is lowered and the acceleration of the ions flowing into the mass spectrometer 4 is suppressed. By suppressing the acceleration of incoming ions, the ion focusing power of the focusing lens (not shown) of the mass spectrometer 4 is improved,
Along with this, the sensitivity of the mass spectrometer 4 increases.

【0014】また、プラズマ8と誘導コイル2との間の
電位上昇が抑えられる結果、分析精度に悪影響を及ぼす
紫外線ノイズの原因となるピンチ放電が発生しにくくな
り、その点でも感度が上がる。
Further, as a result of suppressing the potential increase between the plasma 8 and the induction coil 2, pinch discharge, which causes ultraviolet noise that adversely affects the analysis accuracy, is less likely to occur, and the sensitivity is also increased in that respect.

【0015】次に、本発明の構成を備えたICP質量分
析装置と、従来のICP質量分析装置とを検出感度で比
較した結果を説明する。ここでは、イットリウムの検出
限界を測定することで、両者を比較した。
Next, the result of comparison of the detection sensitivity between the ICP mass spectrometer having the structure of the present invention and the conventional ICP mass spectrometer will be described. Here, the two were compared by measuring the detection limit of yttrium.

【0016】この比較試験は、本発明のものも従来のも
のも、上記R2が30mmであって、R2/2=30m
m/2=15である誘導コイル2を用い、本発明のもの
は、上記R1=14mmであって上記式を満足するプ
ラズマトーチ1を有するものを例とした。一方、従来例
のものは、R1=17.6mmであって、上記式を満
足しないプラズマトーチを有するものを例とした。
In this comparative test, R2 is 30 mm and R2 / 2 = 30 m in both the present invention and the conventional test.
The induction coil 2 with m / 2 = 15 is used, and the one according to the present invention has the plasma torch 1 with R1 = 14 mm and satisfying the above expression as an example. On the other hand, the conventional example has a plasma torch having R1 = 17.6 mm and not satisfying the above formula.

【0017】測定結果は、従来のものでは、イットリウ
ムの検出限界が10ppbであったのに対して、本発明の
ものでは1ppbとなっており、感度が10倍程度向上し
ている。
The measurement result shows that the detection limit of yttrium is 10 ppb in the conventional case, but it is 1 ppb in the case of the present invention, and the sensitivity is improved about 10 times.

【0018】なお、上記式で規定するプラズマトーチ
1の太さ範囲は、プラズマ8と誘導コイル2との間で生
じる容量結合を最も良好に排除することができるトーチ
太さの範囲である。しかしながら、本発明はプラズマ8
と誘導コイル2との間で生じる容量結合を抑制できる程
度にすればよいのであって、上記式で規定するトーチ
太さに必ずしも限定されるものではない。
The thickness range of the plasma torch 1 defined by the above formula is the range of the torch thickness capable of best eliminating the capacitive coupling generated between the plasma 8 and the induction coil 2. However, the present invention uses plasma 8
It suffices that the capacitive coupling between the induction coil 2 and the induction coil 2 be suppressed, and the torch thickness defined by the above equation is not necessarily limited.

【0019】[0019]

【発明の効果】本発明によれば、プラズマと誘導コイル
との間の電位上昇を抑制できるので、電位上昇に起因す
る分析部の分析精度の劣化がなくなった。また、ピンチ
放電もなくなり、ピンチ放電によるオリフィスの耐久性
の悪化も防止することができた。さらには、このような
効果を、耐久性に難のあるグリットといった余分な部品
を用いることなく達成でき、その分、高耐久性を維持で
きるうえに、余分な部品の追加によるコストアップを未
然に防止することもできた。
According to the present invention, the increase in the potential between the plasma and the induction coil can be suppressed, so that the analysis accuracy of the analysis unit is not deteriorated due to the increase in the potential. Further, pinch discharge was eliminated, and deterioration of durability of the orifice due to pinch discharge could be prevented. Furthermore, such an effect can be achieved without using extra parts such as grit, which is difficult to be durable, and accordingly, high durability can be maintained, and the cost increase due to the addition of extra parts is obviated. It could have been prevented.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief description of drawings]

【図1】本発明の一実施の形態のICP質量分析装置の
全体構成図である。
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an ICP mass spectrometer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

【図2】一実施の形態のICP質量分析装置の要部の拡
大図である。
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of the ICP mass spectrometer according to the embodiment.

【図3】従来のICP質量分析装置の全体構成図であ
る。
FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram of a conventional ICP mass spectrometer.

【符号の説明】[Explanation of symbols]

1 プラズマトーチ 2 誘導コイル 3 真空室 4 質量分析計 5 オリフィス 8 プラズマ 1 Plasma torch 2 Induction coil 3 Vacuum chamber 4 Mass spectrometer 5 Orifice 8 Plasma

Claims (2)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] 【請求項1】 エアロゾルが導入されるプラズマトーチ
と、このプラズマトーチで発生したイオンを分析する分
析部とを有し、前記プラズマトーチの外周には高周波磁
界を発生する誘導コイルが設けられ、前記分析部は真空
室内に配置され、この真空室の前記プラズマトーチの対
向位置にはイオンを真空室内に導入するオリフィスが形
成されたICP分析装置において、 前記プラズマトーチを前記誘導コイルに比して小径にし
て、トーチ内部のプラズマと誘導コイルとの間で生じる
容量結合を抑制したことを特徴とするICP分析装置。
1. A plasma torch into which an aerosol is introduced, and an analysis unit for analyzing ions generated by the plasma torch, and an induction coil for generating a high-frequency magnetic field is provided on the outer periphery of the plasma torch, An analysis unit is arranged in a vacuum chamber, and an orifice for introducing ions into the vacuum chamber is formed at a position opposite to the plasma torch in the vacuum chamber, wherein the plasma torch has a smaller diameter than the induction coil. In addition, the ICP analysis apparatus is characterized in that the capacitive coupling generated between the plasma inside the torch and the induction coil is suppressed.
【請求項2】 前記プラズマトーチのオリフィス側端部
の内径をR1とし、前記誘導コイルの内径をR2とした
場合に、R1<R2/2であることを特徴とする請求項
1記載のICP分析装置。
2. The ICP analysis according to claim 1, wherein R1 <R2 / 2 where R1 is the inner diameter of the orifice side end of the plasma torch and R2 is the inner diameter of the induction coil. apparatus.
JP13791596A 1996-05-31 1996-05-31 Icp analyzer Pending JPH09318539A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP13791596A JPH09318539A (en) 1996-05-31 1996-05-31 Icp analyzer

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP13791596A JPH09318539A (en) 1996-05-31 1996-05-31 Icp analyzer

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
JPH09318539A true JPH09318539A (en) 1997-12-12

Family

ID=15209666

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP13791596A Pending JPH09318539A (en) 1996-05-31 1996-05-31 Icp analyzer

Country Status (1)

Country Link
JP (1) JPH09318539A (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8096181B2 (en) 2006-06-16 2012-01-17 Sony Corporation Inertial sensor

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8096181B2 (en) 2006-06-16 2012-01-17 Sony Corporation Inertial sensor

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