Considerations about the detection efficiency in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Experimental investigations of analyte atomization, ionization and diffusion processes in the inductively coupled plasma applying single droplet introduction and optical emission spectroscopy provide hints how to improve the detection efficiency of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. It is discussed how the flow, amount and type of injector gas, the size of droplets injected, the analyte mass, and the sampler interface of the mass spectrometer determine the position of analyte atomization and ionization as well as the magnitude of radial analyte ion diffusion at the interface of the mass spectrometer applied.

► Parameters determining analyte atomization and ionization in ICP's are discussed.
► Dependence of analyte diffusion on experimental conditions is described.
► Actions for improving the detection efficiency of ICP-MS are highlighted.