A model for calculating dead time and mass discrimination correction factors from inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry calibration curves

A model allowing simultaneous determination of the detector dead time and t he mass discrimination factor in inductively coupled plasma mass spectromet ry (ICP-MS), as well as the corresponding uncertainties, is presented and c ompared for three representative isotope systems, namely magnesium, indium and thallium. The advantages of using the model presented are firstly that both the detector dead time and the mass discrimination factor can be obtai ned simultaneously and secondly that the sampling time can be spent entirel y on the isotopes of interest.