Feedback and diagnostic signals in direct sample insertion inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (DSI-ICP-AES)

Diagnostic signals are discussed in conjunction with an automated direct sample insertion-inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (DSI-ICP-AES) system and a computer-controlled feedback loop. Such signals were obtained from computer-controlled mass flow controllers and by monitoring emission from Ar and C spectral lines in real-time. Use of feedback and diagnostic signals proved to be a particularly attractive way of enhancing the operational reliability of the automated DSI-ICP-AES system used for this work and at improving the overall quality of analytical data obtained with this system.