A dynamic reaction cell for inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-DRC-MS). II. Reduction of interferences produced within the cell

An rf-driven reaction cell offers the potential for enormous efficiency in the removal of interfering ions prior to mass analysis in inductively coupl ed plasma mass spectrometry. Concomitant with this efficiency is the potent ial for interference production within the reaction cell. Operation of a lo w rf-amplitude quadrupole reaction cell in a bandpass mode, either rf-only or with additional de voltage between pole pairs, is shown to suppress thes e in-cell interferences. Examples of various types of interferences (spectr al and continuum) are shown, and their elimination without sacrificing sens itivity is demonstrated. The advantage of dynamically sweeping the bandpass in concert with the mass analyzer is shown. The necessity of efficiently e vacuating the reaction cell (in this case by venting it to the high vacuum chamber) when reaction gas is not added is demonstrated. (J Am Soc Mass Spe ctrom 1999, 10, 1083-1094) (C) 1999 American Society for Mass Spectrometry.