Optimizing the multielement analysis capabilities of an ICP quadrupole mass spectrometer using electrothermal vaporization sample introduction

A mathematical solution and an experimental procedure are described for calculating the maximum number of transient signals, such as those obtained using ETV sample introduction into an ICPMS, that can be monitored by a scanning spectrometer, such as a quadrupole mass analyzer. The total number of masses that can be monitored per ETV firing is shown to be dependent on the values chosen for data collection (i.e., scan time and dwell time) and the necessary limits of detection required by the method. The theory shows the effect that statistical noise, peak shapes, and inconsistent peak appearance times have on the overall variance calculated for the sample concentration based on total counts or "peak area". Also included in the variance calculation is the contribution made by the autosampler as an example of one type of error that is not associated with the data collection parameters. The theory is validated by two experiments where 21 and 68 transient signals are monitored per ETV firing; and as predicted, a 10 ppb sample is accurately quantified with precision better than 9% in both cases.