Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry in the Vacuum Ultraviolet Region

Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry has been applied for trace metal determination in a myriad of sample types. However, the detection of nonmetals is a challenge. For example, the high excitation energies associated with most nonmetals is a barrier for populating the excited state of these elements. Even in the presence of sufficient excitation energy, the principal resonance lines for nonmetals usually lie in the vacuum ultraviolet region, where atmospheric species like oxygen and water vapor absorb the radiation. Several nonmetals (nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon) are also present in the atmosphere, so contamination or background emission signals can hinder quantification. A common approach to solving these problems is to increase throughput by purging the optical path with an inert gas. In addition, unnecessary mirrors or lenses are eliminated when possible. This review provides a survey of the applications of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry in the vacuum ultraviolet region, with particular emphasis on the detection of sulfur, phosphorus, iodine, and carbon. The alternative of employing nonresonance lines for these elements in the near-infrared region is discussed briefly as well.