LimsPulse
Spectroscopy

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS)

Ionises the sample in an argon plasma and counts the ions of each element by their mass. The most sensitive routine technique for elemental impurities, reaching ng/L levels.

  • Pharmaceutical
  • Biotech
  • Environmental
  • Food & beverage
  • Semiconductor
  • Clinical
Photo of a Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS)
Photo: Cyberwork 95, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped), via Wikimedia Commons
Follow your site SOP
This is a typical operating sequence for learning. Your instrument model and approved SOP take precedence.
STAGE 1

Before you start

  1. 1Check calibration status, argon supply, chiller and exhaust.
  2. 2Confirm vacuum is within the normal range (the instrument stays under vacuum between uses).
  3. 3Inspect cones, pump tubing and the sample path; clean or replace as needed.
  4. 4Use acid-cleaned or certified-clean plastic ware and ultrapure (Type 1) water for all solutions.
  • Contamination is the biggest risk at ng/L levels: wear powder-free gloves and avoid glassware for trace work.
STAGE 2

Start-up and tuning

  1. 1Ignite the plasma and aspirate dilute acid; allow it to warm up (often 20–30 minutes).
  2. 2Run the tuning / performance check solution (e.g. Li, Co, Y, Ce, Tl at about 1 µg/L).
  3. 3Confirm sensitivity, oxide ratio, doubly charged ratio, mass calibration and peak width meet the SOP limits.
  4. 4Run the cell-mode check (e.g. helium mode interference removal) if required.
  • Do not run samples if the tune fails; re-optimise or clean the cones first.
STAGE 3

Measurement

  1. 1Calibrate with a blank and standards bracketing the target (J) value, matrix-matched in acid.
  2. 2Add internal standards to all solutions, usually on-line.
  3. 3Run system suitability: standardisation drift check and recovery of spiked samples as per the <233> procedure.
  4. 4Run samples with blanks and check standards at set intervals; check internal standard recoveries stay within limits.
  • Keep total dissolved solids low (often below about 0.2%) to avoid cone blockage and signal drift.
STAGE 4

Shutdown

  1. 1Rinse with dilute nitric acid (with a little HCl if mercury was measured), then water.
  2. 2Extinguish the plasma; the vacuum stays on.
  3. 3Release pump tubing tension and complete the log book.
In LimsPulse · Calibration Management

Keep every ICP-MS in control: usage logs, calibration and maintenance schedules, and automatic blocking of overdue instruments.

See how