Instrumentation

Inductive Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) is a type of mass spectrometer that ionizes the sample via an inductively coupled plasma. ICP-MS is an elemental analysis technique with a large analytical range, low detection limits, and high sample thoroughput.

The 8900 ICP-QQQ-MS is the workhorse for analysis of aqueous and digested solid samples. The triple quadrupole system introduces reactive gas chemistry and mass shifted analytes resulting in high sensitivity and low background. We connect an ESI PrepFast M5 autosampler system to perform automated calibrations and dilutions for high sample throughput.  We also couple the 8900 to an Agilent 1260 Liquid Chromatography system to carry out arsenic speciation in waters, urine, and food extracts.

The Agilent 7900 and 8900 share the same basic lens and detector designs that allow for enhanced ion throughput and high sensitivity. We couple the 7900 to our Elemental Scientific Lasers (ESL) 213 laser ablation system for spatial trace element analysis of teeth or hair and for imaging of biological tissues.