Abstract:
A system for determining an analyte by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) includes a sample introduction device having a heated cyclonic spray chamber. The system is configured to introduce sample that includes a metal and/or a metalloid having an organic interferent. The system also includes an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry device with a collision/reaction cell configured to receive a mixture of gases including both ammonia and hydrogen. A method includes introducing a sample to plasma to produce a characteristic spectrum associated with an elemental composition of the sample. The method also includes introducing both ammonia and hydrogen to a collision/reaction cell to remove carbon-based interferences to detection of the sample prior to determining the elemental composition of the sample.
Abstract:
Valve assemblies are described that provide flow paths in substantially indirect opposition for fluids injected into the valve assemblies for mixing. A valve assembly includes a first valve member having ports configured to receive a first fluid and a second fluid. The valve assembly also includes a second valve member coupled adjacent to the first valve member. The valve assembly defines a first flow path for the first fluid and a second flow path for the second fluid. The first flow path extends from one of the ports of the first valve member toward an interface between the first valve member and the second valve member, and the second flow path extends from a channel defined by the second valve member toward the interface between the first valve member and the second valve member. The second flow path is in substantially indirect opposition to the first flow path.
Abstract:
An inductively coupled plasma (ICP) torch is described that includes a tapered outer end. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a tubular sample injector configured to receive an aerosolized sample in an interior defined by walls of the tubular sample injector; an inner tube surrounding at least a portion of the tubular sample injector to form a first annular space between the inner tube and the walls of the tubular sample injector, the inner tube defining at least one inlet port for introduction of an auxiliary gas into the first annular space; and an outer tube surrounding at least a portion of the inner tube to form a second annular space, the outer tube defining at least one inlet port for introduction of a cooling gas into the second annular space, the outer tube having a flared region at an outlet of the outer tube.
Abstract:
Systems and methods are described for collecting and combining multiple scan samples from a surface of a semiconducting wafer. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a scan nozzle configured to introduce a first scan solution to a surface of a semiconducting wafer to remove impurities from the surface to provide a first scan sample and retrieve the first scan sample, the scan nozzle further configured to introduce a second scan solution to the surface of the semiconducting wafer to remove residual impurities from the surface to provide a second scan sample and retrieve the second scan sample; and a collection vessel in fluid communication with the scan nozzle, the collection vessel configured to receive each of the first scan sample and the second scan sample from the nozzle and to mix the first scan sample with the second scan sample to provide a combined scan sample.
Abstract:
An inductively coupled plasma (ICP) torch is described that includes a tapered outer end. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a tubular sample injector configured to receive an aerosolized sample in an interior defined by walls of the tubular sample injector; an inner tube surrounding at least a portion of the tubular sample injector to form a first annular space between the inner tube and the walls of the tubular sample injector, the inner tube defining at least one inlet port for introduction of an auxiliary gas into the first annular space; and an outer tube surrounding at least a portion of the inner tube to form a second annular space, the outer tube defining at least one inlet port for introduction of a cooling gas into the second annular space, the outer tube having a flared region at an outlet of the outer tube.
Abstract:
An embodiment of an analysis system can include an initial multi-port valve, at least one intermediate multi-port valve, a further multi-port valve, and a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS). The initial multi-port valve can be configured to receive a sample. The at least one intermediate multi-port valve can be fluidly connected to the initial multi-port valve and configured to receive the sample from the initial multi-port valve. A given intermediate multi-port valve can have an ion-exchange column associated therewith. The given intermediate multi-port valve can be configured selectably to one of direct the sample through the ion-exchange column associated therewith (in a speciation mode) or bypass the ion-exchange column (in an infusion mode). The further multi-port valve can be fluidly connected with the at least one intermediate multi-port valve and configured to receive the sample from therefrom. The time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS) can be fluidly connected to the further multi-port valve.
Abstract:
Systems and methods are described for integrated decomposition and scanning of a semiconducting wafer, where a single chamber is utilized for decomposition and scanning of the wafer of interest.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for analyzing ultra-low level concentration nanoparticles in semiconductor cleaning chemicals by single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICP-MS) are described. In aspects, the methods described herein include determination factors that are specific to each of the chemical matrix and the type of analyte associated with the nanoparticles present in a fluid sample for both a particle baseline intensity value and a nanoparticle detection threshold.
Abstract:
Systems and methods are described for securing fabric, paper, and film samples for analysis by laser ablation. A method embodiment includes, but is not limited to, securing a thin, solid sample with a sample holder system, the sample holder system configured to hold the thin, solid sample in a taut configuration between a piston and a sample holder base; transferring the sample holder system to a laser ablation system; and ablating at least a portion of the thin, solid sample in the taut configuration with the laser ablation system to provide an ablated sample.
Abstract:
Systems and methods are described for automatically adjusting the composition of a spray chamber matrix gas flow coordinated with an analysis of a particular chemical element or groups of elements. A system can include a spray chamber configured to be coupled to an analytical system, the spray chamber having a nebulizer gas port configured to receive a nebulizer gas; and an inlet for receiving a gas from at least one gas source. The system also includes a controller operably coupled to the spray chamber, the controller configured to adjust a gas flow rate of the gas from the at least one gas source in coordination with analysis of a particular chemical element by the analytical system.