Abstract: A method of processing two dimensional optical spectra, such as echelle spectra, is disclosed. The optical spectra comprise sections having a relatively high intensity separated by borders having a relatively low intensity. The optical spectra have been digitized (61) by a detector. The method comprises denoising (62) an optical spectrum, searching (64) for at least one series of neighboring local extrema of the optical spectrum, fitting (65) a line through each series of neighboring local extrema, each line representing a section, identifying (67) any peaks and their respective locations, and storing (68) the lines and the locations of any peaks.

Abstract: A plasma source chamber (10) for use in a spectrometer comprises an inner housing (11) for accommodating a plasma source (31) and an outer housing (12) accommodating the inner housing. The outer housing (12) comprises at least one outer air inlet opening (21) in a first wall and at least one outer air outlet opening (22) in a second wall. Walls of the inner housing and walls of the outer housing define a spacing (25) so as to allow a first air flow (1) from the at least one outer air inlet opening (21) to the at least one outer air outlet opening (22) through the spacing (25) between the inner housing and the outer housing. The inner housing (11) comprises at least one inner air inlet opening (23) in a first wall and at least one inner air outlet opening (24) in a second wall to allow a second air flow (2) from the at least one inner air inlet opening to the at least one inner air outlet opening through the inner housing.

Abstract: A diagnostic testing method for a detector of a spectrometer. The spectrometer comprises a source of line spectra configured to emit at least one branched pair of spectral lines from an excited species. The method comprises performing a plurality of detector diagnostic measurements and diagnosing a detector operating condition. Each detector diagnostic measurement comprises measuring an intensity of a first spectral line emitted by an excited species of the source of line spectra using the detector, and measuring an intensity of a second spectral line emitted by the excited species of the source of line spectra using the detector. The first and second spectral lines emitted by the excited species of the source of line spectra form a branched pair of spectral lines, and the spectrometer is controlled to vary the intensity of the first and second spectral lines incident on the detector for the plurality of detector diagnostic measurements.

Abstract: A liquid sample introduction system for a plasma spectrometer includes a sample container for holding a liquid sample, a surface acoustic wave (SAW) nebulizer, arranged to receive a liquid sample from the sample container, an electronic controller for supplying electrical power to the SAW nebulizer so as to produce a surface acoustic wave on a surface of the SAW nebulizer, for generating an aerosol from the supplied sample liquid, and an aerosol transport arrangement for receiving the aerosol from the SAW nebulizer and carrying it into a plasma or flame of a spectrometer. The electronic controller is further configured to control the electrical power to the SAW nebulizer so as to permit adjustment of the aerosol parameters, and to control the aerosol transport arrangement so as to permit adjustment of the aerosol delivery into the plasma or flame of the spectrometer.

Abstract: A liquid sample introduction system for a plasma spectrometer includes a sample container for holding a liquid sample, a surface acoustic wave (SAW) nebulizer, arranged to receive a liquid sample from the sample container, an electronic controller for supplying electrical power to the SAW nebulizer so as to produce a surface acoustic wave on a surface of the SAW nebulizer, for generating an aerosol from the supplied sample liquid, and an aerosol transport arrangement for receiving the aerosol from the SAW nebulizer and carrying it into a plasma or flame of a spectrometer. The electronic controller is further configured to control the electrical power to the SAW nebulizer so as to permit adjustment of the aerosol parameters, and to control the aerosol transport arrangement so as to permit adjustment of the aerosol delivery into the plasma or flame of the spectrometer.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for improving throughput in spectrometry, the method comprising the steps of loading sample-containing liquid into a liquid injection device through a first outlet in the injection device, and ejecting at least some of the sample-containing liquid from the liquid injection device either in the form of droplets or in the form of a jet which subsequently breaks up into droplets due to instability; characterized by the sample ejection being through the first outlet of the liquid injection device in a direction such that the sample-containing fluid enters an inlet of a torch.

Abstract: A liquid sample introduction system for a plasma spectrometer includes a sample container for holding a liquid sample, a surface acoustic wave (SAW) nebulizer, arranged to receive a liquid sample from the sample container, an electronic controller for supplying electrical power to the SAW nebulizer so as to produce a surface acoustic wave on a surface of the SAW nebulizer, for generating an aerosol from the supplied sample liquid, and an aerosol transport arrangement for receiving the aerosol from the SAW nebulizer and carrying it into a plasma or flame of a spectrometer. The electronic controller is further configured to control the electrical power to the SAW nebulizer so as to permit adjustment of the aerosol parameters, and to control the aerosol transport arrangement so as to permit adjustment of the aerosol delivery into the plasma or flame of the spectrometer.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for improving throughput in spectrometry, the method comprising the steps of loading sample-containing liquid into a liquid injection device through a first outlet in the injection device, and ejecting at least some of the sample-containing liquid from the liquid injection device either in the form of droplets or in the form of a jet which subsequently breaks up into droplets due to instability; characterized by the sample ejection being through the first outlet of the liquid injection device in a direction such that the sample-containing fluid enters an inlet of a torch.