Attenuation of Background Molecular Ions and Determination of Isotope Ratios by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry at Cool Plasma Condition

摘要

Isotope ratios of K, Ca, Cr and Fe are measured at cool plasma condition generated using high carrier flow rate and relatively low RF power of 900 W. Background molecular ions are suppressed to below 100 counts which give isobaric interference to the analytes. The background ions show different attenuation characteristics at increased carrier flow rate and hence for each element different carrier flow rate should be used to measure isotope ratios without isobaric interference. Isotope ratios are measured at both scan and peak-hopping modes and compared with certified or accepted ratios. The measured isotope ratios show some mass discrimination against low mass due to low ion energy induced from a copper shield to eliminate capacitive coupling of plasma with load coil.