Low-Pressure Inductively Coupled Plasma Ion Source for Molecular and Atomic Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

A low-pressure inductively coupled plasma system is described which can be used for both molecular and atomic mass spectrometry. Element-selective detection of organotin, organolead, organoiron, and organohalide compounds was possible using this source coupled with gas chromatography. Detection limits were as follows: tetraethyllead, 13 pg; tetrabutyltin, 35 pg; ferrocene, 33 pg; iodobenzene, 25 pg; bromobenzene, 50 pg; and chlorobenzene, 500 pg. By decreasing the power and plasma gas flow it was possible to sustain a helium plasma using only the carrier gas from the gas chromatograph, and mass spectra were obtained for chlorobenzene, bromobenzene, and iodobenzene that were similar to those obtainable using an electron impact ionization source