Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS)

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is a type of mass spectrometry that is highly sensitive and capable of the determination of a range of metals and several non-metals at concentrations below parts per trillion (ppt). It is based on coupling together an inductively coupled plasma as a method of producing ions (ionization) with a mass spectrometer as a method of separating and detecting the ions. ICP-MS is also capable of monitoring isotopic speciation for the ions of choice. Unlike atomic absorption spectroscopy, which can only measure a single element at a time ICP-MS has the capability to scan for all elements simultaneously. This allows rapids ample processing.