Sample Introduction Systems

The most common form of ICP sample introduction is liquid. The purpose of this section is to introduce the beginner to the most popular components of liquid sample introduction systems used for the introduction of samples to ICP-OES and ICP-MS instrumentation (hereafter referred to as ICP) and to alert the reader to some common problems.

System Components

Before continuing any further, I strongly encourage you to read the following:

• A Beginner's Guide to ICP-MS - Part II: The Sample-Introduction System

In the above article, author Robert Thomas gives an excellent overview of the most popular commercially available nebulizers and spray chambers. He also provides guidance and basic theory behind the available designs, as well as an overall understanding of ICP introduction systems.

The key elements of a sample introduction system start with the sipper tube and end with the torch. They are listed as follows:

1. Sipper (typically plastic)
2. Teflon tubing going from the sipper to the peristaltic pump tubing
3. Peristaltic pump tubing
4. Teflon tubing going from the peristaltic pump tubing to the nebulizer
5. Spray chamber
6. Torch

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