PlasmaOES

PlasmaOES, or plasma optical emission spectrometry, is a chemical analysis technique used to determine the elemental composition of a sample by measuring the light emitted by excited atoms and ions in a high-temperature plasma. The most common variant is inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), where argon plasma provides energy to atoms in a liquid or solid sample, causing them to emit light at characteristic wavelengths.

In a typical ICP-OES instrument, a sample is introduced as an aerosol or prepared solution and transported into the plasma, where energy transfer excites elements to higher electronic states. The emitted light is collected by a spectrometer and dispersed into a spectrum. Detectors such as photomultiplier tubes or charge-coupled devices measure the intensity of emission at specific wavelengths corresponding to elements of interest. Data analysis relates emission intensities to concentrations using calibration standards, often with internal standards to correct for instrumental drift and matrix effects.

PlasmaOES offers qualitative and quantitative analysis for a broad range of elements across the periodic table, with multi-element capability, wide linear dynamic range, and relatively high throughput. Typical sample types include liquids, digested solids, metals, alloys, soils, and environmental samples. Detection limits generally fall in the low part-per-million to parts-per-billion range, depending on element and matrix.

Advantages include simultaneous multi-element detection, robustness, and straightforward sample preparation for many matrices. Limitations involve spectral interferences from overlapping emission lines, matrix effects, and higher instrument costs compared with some other techniques. PlasmaOES remains widely used in environmental monitoring, geology, metallurgy, mining, and quality control applications.