A beginner's guide to ICP-MS - Part V: The ion focusing system

Part V of the series on inductively coupled Plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-M S) takes a detailed look at the ion focusing system-a crucial area of the I CP mass spectrometer where the ion beam is focused before it enters the mas s analyzer Sometimes known as the ion optics, it comprises one or more ion lens components, which electrostatically steer the analyte ions from the in terface region into the mass separation device. ne strength of a well-desig ned ion focusing system is its ability to produce low background levels, go od detection limits, and stable signals in real-world sample matrices.