IMPROVEMENTS IN THE SIGNAL-TO-BACKGROUND RATIO WITH HYDRIDE GENERATION INDUCTIVELY-COUPLED PLASMA-ATOMIC EMISSION-SPECTROMETRY

An investigation of the effects of torch position and of diameter of t he central tube of the ICP torch on signal-to-background ratio and ref lected power in hydride generation inductively coupled plasma atomic e mission spectrometry has identified conditions under which a stable pl asma can be sustained at only 0.5 kW with a five times better signal-t o-background ratio for Se than could be obtained at 1.4 kW. The improv ed performance is attributed to a more efficient introduction of hydro gen to the central channel of the plasma.