Introduction
Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical-Emission Spectrometry
(ICP-OES) is an elemental analysis technique that derives
its analytical data from the emission spectra of elements
excited within a high-temperature plasma. The purpose of
the ICP-OES optical system is to separate element-specific
wavelengths of light, emitted from the excited sample and
to focus the resolved light onto the detector as efficiently
as possible. The spectrometer is comprised of two
sections, the fore-optics and the polychromator. When the
light exits the polychromator it is focused on to the detector.
Plasma viewing configurations
ICP-OES instruments can be configured as radial, axial or
dual view. In the radial configuration, the plasma is viewed
from the side, while in the axial configuration; the plasma
is viewed end-on (along the length of the plasma) and in
the dual view configuration, the plasma can be viewed in
either the radial or axial orientation (see Figure 1)