Abstract: A system can include a nebulizer having a tip and a spray chamber configured to be in fluid communication with the nebulizer. The tip of the nebulizer and/or an interior of the spray chamber can have a treated surface. The nebulizer and/or the spray chamber can be treated using a physical abrasion technique, chemically etched, and so forth. In some embodiments, treated surfaces of the nebulizer and the spray chamber can be proximate to one another. The spray chamber can include a drain ridge, which can project into an interior of the spray chamber, be depressed away from an interior of the spray chamber, and/or include a treated surface. The spray chamber can also include an output port having a treated surface. In some embodiments, the output port can include an additional port so that rinse liquid can flow through the spray chamber (e.g., continuously and/or intermittently).

Abstract: Systems and methods are described to determine whether a sample transmitted through a transfer line from a remote sampling system contains a suitable sample to analyze by an analysis system. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a sample receiving line configured to receive a liquid segment a first detector configured to detect the liquid segment at a first location in the sample receiving line; a second detector configured to detect the liquid segment at a second location in the sample receiving line downstream from the first location; and a controller configured to register a continuous liquid segment in the sample receiving line when the first detector and the second detector match detection states prior to the controller registering a change of state of the first detector.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described to determine whether a sample transmitted through a transfer line from a remote sampling system contains a suitable sample to analyze by an analysis system. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a sample receiving line configured to receive a liquid segment a first detector configured to detect the liquid segment at a first location in the sample receiving line; a second detector configured to detect the liquid segment at a second location in the sample receiving line downstream from the first location; and a controller configured to register a continuous liquid segment in the sample receiving line when the first detector and the second detector match detection states prior to the controller registering a change of state of the first detector.

Abstract: A sample introduction system provides mixing of a sample and a diluent within the container via gas injection. In one or more implementations, the sample introduction system causes a probe of an autosampler to be inserted into a container containing a sample and a diluent so that an end of the probe is submerged beneath a surface of the diluent and the sample. Gas is then injected through the probe to mix the sample and the diluent within the container. An aliquot of the mixed sample and diluent is then withdrawn through the probe.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described to determine whether a sample transmitted through a transfer line from a remote sampling system contains a suitable sample to analyze by an analysis system. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a sample receiving line configured to receive a liquid segment a first detector configured to detect the liquid segment at a first location in the sample receiving line; a second detector configured to detect the liquid segment at a second location in the sample receiving line downstream from the first location; and a controller configured to register a continuous liquid segment in the sample receiving line when the first detector and the second detector match detection states prior to the controller registering a change of state of the first detector.

Abstract: A sample identification system for an automated sampling device is described. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a sample holder having a plurality of apertures configured to receive a plurality of sample vessels therein, the sample holder having one or more corresponding sample holder identifiers positioned proximate to the sample holder; and an identifier capture device configured to detect the one or more sample holder identifiers positioned proximate to the sample holder and generate a data signal in response thereto, the data signal corresponding to at least an orientation of the sample holder relative to a surface on which the sample holder is positioned.

Abstract: A sample agitation system for an automated sampling device is described. In an example implementation, the sample agitation system includes a sample probe configured to contact a sample positioned within a sample vessel. Further, the sample agitation system includes an actuator coupled to the sample probe that is configured to stir the sample positioned within the sample vessel in one or more rotational directions. The directions may include, but are not limited to, clockwise motion, anti-clockwise motion, or the like. In some implementations, a sample probe support arm can be coupled to the sample probe and/or the actuator. The actuator can move the sample probe support arm in a translational, a rotational, and/or a vertical direction to rotate the sample probe and stir the sample.

Abstract: Sample preparation systems and methods are described having pump control, valve configurations, and control logic that facilitate automatic, inline preparation dilutions of a sample according to at least two dilution operating modes. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to a first pump configured to drive a carrier fluid; a second pump configured to drive a diluent; and a plurality of selection valves fluidically coupled with the first pump and the second pump, the plurality of selection valves being configured to direct fluid flows from the first pump and the second pump according to at least two modes of operation to provide a single-stage sample dilution according to a first operating mode and to provide a dual-stage sample dilution according to a second operating mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring analytes (e.g., potassium) under hot plasma conditions of ICP analysis systems (e.g., ICP-MS, ICP-AES, etc.) are described, where a membrane desolvation unit and nitrogen flow gas are included to reduce Argon interferences. A system embodiment includes a heated spray chamber configured to receive a liquid sample and a sample gas to aerosolize the liquid sample; a first condenser coupled to the heated spray chamber; a second condenser coupled to the first condenser; a heated membrane coupled to the second condenser; and a gas introduction component coupled to the heated membrane to receive a flow of gas and to combine the flow of gas with a dried sample aerosol leaving the heated membrane, wherein the flow of gas is introduced at a rate of approximately 2.67 percent to approximately 20 percent of a flow rate of the sample gas.

Abstract: A system can include a valve assembly including a first valve and a second valve in fluid communication with the first valve. The valve assembly can be configured to deliver one or more of a sample, a chemical (e.g., an acid, a base, an organic chemical, etc.), and a standard via flow of a working fluid facilitated by one or more syringe pumps. Further, the one or more of the sample, the chemical, and the standard can maintain a physical separation from the one or more syringe pumps during delivery of the one or more of the sample, the chemical, and the standard.

Abstract: A spray chamber is disclosed, wherein the spray chamber includes textured interior portions (e.g., textured inner walls and/or textured surfaces of one or more components within the spray chamber) to prevent droplets from building up on interior surfaces of the chamber as such build up can result in poor measurement performance. Wettability is improved by texturing one or more of the interior surfaces, and as a result, the interior surfaces can shed moisture more easily, thereby preventing droplet buildup. A connector system is also disclosed to provide self-aligned coupling between an exit port of a spray chamber and an input tube of an injector. The connector system allows the spray chamber to be quickly and accurately coupled to the injector by simple mating of the two components.

Abstract: A demountable plasma torch assembly suitable for use in ICP spectrometry comprises a first tube having an inner diameter and a second tube disposed concentrically within the first tube, wherein the second tube has an outer diameter that is less than the inner diameter of the first tube. The first and second tubes are supported by a torch body. The torch body includes a first bore configured to receive an end of the first tube, a second bore configured to receive an end of the second tube, and a manifold disposed between the first bore and the second bore to receive a gas for injection between the first tube and the second tube. The manifold has an outer diameter at least substantially equal to the inner diameter of the first tube and an inner diameter at least substantially equal to the outer diameter of the second tube.

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.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an auto-sampling system with syringe, valve configurations, and control logic that allow automatic, inline preparation of concentrated sulfuric acid and concentrated phosphoric acid for analytic analyzes. In implementations, the auto-sampling system includes independent syringe pumps connected to a valve system to dynamically introduce carrier, diluent, buffer, and eluent flows according to one or more modes of operation.

Abstract: Valve assemblies are described that provide segmented shuttle of liquid into sample vessels and automatic mixing via bubbles in the segmented liquid. A valve assembly includes a first valve member having ports configured to receive a pressurized gas, a first fluid, and a second fluid. The valve assembly also includes a second valve member coupled adjacent to the first valve member. The second valve member comprises a plurality of channels configured to interface with the first valve member. In a first configuration, the first fluid is loaded into an external loop. In the second configuration, the second fluid is eluted from the column into a vial in a segmented stream via bubbles of pressurized gas. Bubbles of gas automatically mix the eluted sample fluid.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic sampling of a sample for the determination of chemical element concentrations and control of semiconductor processes are described. A system embodiment includes a remote sampling system configured to collect a sample of phosphoric acid at a first location, the remote sampling system including a remote valve having a holding loop coupled thereto; and an analysis system configured for positioning at a second location remote from the first location, the analysis system coupled to the remote valve via a transfer line, the analysis system including an analysis device configured to determine a concentration of one or more components of the sample of phosphoric acid and including a sample pump at the second location configured to introduce the sample from the holding loop into the transfer line for analysis by the analysis device.

Abstract: A sample identification system for an automated sampling and dispensing device is described. In an example implementation, the sample identification system includes a sample probe configured to contact a sample positioned within a sample vessel. Further, the sample identification system includes an identifier capture device configured to measure a sample identifier associated with the sample vessel and generate a data signal in response thereto, where the data signal corresponds to an identity of the at least one sample. During operation, the identifier capture device scans a sample holder, a sample vessel, or a table top of the automated sampling and dispensing device to measure the sample identifier and to generate the data signal in response thereto.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and a method for hydride generation. In some embodiments, the system includes an assembly for introducing hydride generation reagents into a mixing path or mixing container, where the assembly includes first chamber configured to contain a first hydride generation reagent and a second chamber configured to contain a second hydride generation reagent. A first plunger is configured to translate within the first chamber and cause a displacement of the first hydride generation reagent, and a second plunger is configured to translate within the second chamber and cause a displacement of the second hydride generation reagent. The assembly further includes base coupling the first plunger and the second plunger together.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump includes a rotating member operably coupled to a drive. The rotating member includes a plurality of rollers arranged in a circular configuration. A guide member defines a channel configured to direct a peristaltic tube around the rotating member so that the peristaltic tube interfaces with the plurality of rollers. The peristaltic tube is pressed against the plurality of rollers by a retaining shoe. The retaining shoe contains surface irregularities configured to restrict movement of the peristaltic tube. A keeper braces the restraining shoe against the peristaltic tube. The rotating rollers compressing the peristaltic tube against the retaining shoe as the rotating member rotates results in a peristaltic action that produces a nearly pulse free linear flow.

Abstract: A system can include an exchangeable mounting structure having a visual marking or coloring and at least one physically associated sample introduction system component having an indicating mark or color matching the visual marking or coloring of the exchangeable mounting structure. The visual marking or colored corresponds to a sample analysis configuration for analyzing a particular sample type at an analytical instrument.