A METHOD FOR ELEMENT-SELECTIVE DETECTION, A MICRO PLASMA MASS SPECTROMETER FOR USE IN THE METHOD AND A MICRO PLASMA ION SOURCE, TOGETHER WITH APPLICATIONS THEREOF

摘要

In a method for element-selective detection of chromatographically or electrophoretically separated compounds there is employed a micro plasma mass spectrometer with a plasma ion source provided in the mass spectrometer's high vacuum chamber. The plasma ion source is equipped with a capillary channel surrounded by a radio-frequency electrode connected to a radio-frequency generator and around or adjacent to the capillary channel there are provided one or more earth electrodes. When plasma gas is introduced into the channel, the plasma is created by discharges between the radio-frequency electrode and one or more of the earth electrodes. The method, the plasma mass spectrometer and the plasma ion source can be installed in existing, commercial mass spectrometers.