Figure 8.20
ICP-MS spectrum showing the naturally occurring isotopes of lead.
(Courtesy of Dr N.I. Ward, University of Surrey)being limited by the high cost and poor availability of isotopically enriched tracers.
Current disadvantages include the high cost of purchase and running of instruments, whilst polyatomic
ions, e.g. Ar 2 O+, ArN+, and ArO+ can interfere by obscuring some elemental peaks. In the case of this
problem some significant progress is currently being made.
8.5—
Flame Emission Spectrometry
Summary
Principles
Emission of electromagnetic radiation in the visible and ultraviolet regions of the spectrum by atoms
after electronic excitation in flames.
Instrumentation
Flame photometer or spectrophotometer incorporating nebulizer and burner, filters, prism or grating
monochromator, photocell or photomultiplier detection system.