Abstract: There is described a method for heating a sample material in a sample holder, the method comprising receiving the sample holder in a heating chamber of a heating system, the sample holder having at least one sample recipient with the sample material therein; dynamically forming an individual mini microwave cavity around the sample recipient; and applying microwaves generated by at least one microwave generator directly to the sample.

Abstract: A microwave heater comprises a cylindrical housing having an inner surface defining an internal cavity. A microwave generator is secured adjacent a first end of the housing and received inside the internal cavity is a sample holder that comprises an annular base member positioned adjacent the first end has a central axis coinciding with a longitudinal axis of the housing. A first opening is formed along the central axis, an outlet of the microwave generator extending through the first opening along the central axis for emitting into the internal cavity electromagnetic waves centered at a given microwave wavelength. A circular support plate substantially parallel to the base member and concentric therewith, a cavity portion defined therebetween, is separated from the base member by a distance less than the given microwave wavelength for establishing a Transverse Magnetic (TM) 01 mode as a predominant resonance mode inside the cavity portion.

Abstract: There is described an automated heating system for heating a sample contained in a sample holder, comprising: a heating chamber having at least one opening and adapted to receive the sample holder; a microwave generator in microwave transfer communication with the heating chamber; a conveyor extending into the heating chamber and adapted to receive and transport the sample holder into and out of the heating chamber; at least one microwave barrier movable between an open position to allow access to the heating chamber and a closed position to prevent microwaves from leaking out of the heating chamber when the microwave generator is activated; and a control unit for controlling the microwave generator and the conveyor.

Abstract: There is described a sample holder for decomposition or extraction of a sample material, the sample holder comprising: a frame adapted to receive at least two open-ended sample recipients thereon for holding the sample material; and a rack cover releasably securable to the frame and comprising at least two compression caps to be positioned above the at least two open-ended sample recipients to form pressure-relief valves thereon.

Abstract: There is described a heating system for independently heating at least one sample recipient containing a sample, the sample recipient provided in a sample holder, comprising: a heating chamber having at least one opening and adapted to receive the sample holder; at least one microwave generator for generating microwaves; at least one microwave applicator inside the heating chamber connected to the at least one microwave generator, the at least one microwave applicator comprising an oven cavity portion for creating a mini microwave cavity around a single sample recipient in the sample holder, and for applying microwaves generated by the at least one microwave generator directly to the single sample recipient; and a control unit for controlling the at least one microwave generator.

Abstract: There is described a power splitter for directing electromagnetic power comprising: an input port for receiving the electromagnetic power; at least one dielectric element placed inside the power splitter; at least two output ports for outputting the power according to a splitting ratio, the at least two output ports placed on a surface opposite to the input port; and at least one dielectric moving device for positioning the at least one dielectric element between the at least two output ports to dynamically direct the power into the at least two output ports according to the power splitting ratio.

Abstract: There is described a sample holder for decomposition or extraction of a sample material, the sample holder comprising: a frame adapted to receive at least two open-ended sample recipients thereon for holding the sample material; and a rack cover releasably securable to the frame and comprising at least two compression caps to be positioned above the at least two open-ended sample recipients to form pressure-relief valves thereon.

Abstract: There is described a sample holder for decomposition or extraction of a sample material, the sample holder comprising: a frame adapted to receive at least two open-ended sample recipients having sealing caps thereon for holding the sample material; and a rack cover releasably securable to the frame and comprising at least two compression caps to be positioned on the sealing caps in order to exert a pressure thereon, thereby forming a pressure-relief valve for each one of the at least two open-ended sample recipients.

Abstract: The present invention describes a torch for producing a plasma for a spectrochemical analysis comprising: an alumina ceramic injector, a vitreous material inner tube concentric with the injector, and an annular joint between the injector and the inner tube. The joint fixedly attaches the injector and the inner tube together and comprises of an adhesive compatible with vitreous material and alumina ceramic. A method of manufacturing the torch is also described.

Abstract: A reversible vacuum filter cartridge for connection to a pair of tubes or other entities to filter a liquid medium placed in one of the tubes or other entities is described. The filter cartridge is comprised of a male coupling and a female coupling. The couplings are interconnected to one another by simply pushing a mating projection of the male coupling into a mating cavity of the female coupling. A connecting port is provided in the male and female coupling and has a conduit communicating with tube connecting ends of each of the couplings which communicate with an open end of a tube connected to each of the couplings. The connecting port is identical in each of the couplings and serves either as vacuum port or an air intake port. A filter disk is retained captive between perforated outer walls of each of the couplings when interconnected together in fluid-tight relationship.