Microwave plasma torch analytical atomic spectrometry

The microwave plasma torch (MPT), as a relative new source, has found exten sive use in atomic spectrometry. In this review, the fundamental features a nd characteristics of the MPT are summarized and compared with other kinds of analytical atomic sources, such as the more popularly used inductively c oupled plasma (ICP), the direct current plasma (DCP), as well as other kind s of microwave plasmas (MWPs). Since the MPT offers some attractive feature s, it has been used as an excitation source for atomic emission spectrometr y (MPT-AES), including the atomic emission detection (AED) for gas chromato graphy (GC), liquid chromatography (LC) and supercritical fluid chromatogra phy (SFC). Also, it has been used either as an ionization source for atomic mass spectrometry (MPT-AMS) or an atomization source for atomic fluorescen ce spectrometry (MPT-AFS). The historical development and recent improvemen ts in these MPT atomic spectrometric techniques are evaluated with emphasis on the analytical advantages and limitations. In addition, the future rese arch directions and the application prospects of MPT atomic spectrometry (M PT-AS) are discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.