Preliminary investigation of a tangential flow torch with coupling probe injector for helium microwave induced plasma mass spectrometry

A stable, low gas-flow torch has been developed for use with a helium microwave induced plasma (MIP). A toroidal plasma with central analyte introduction is obtained by the addition of a tantalum coupling probe injector tube. This injector penetrates through 100% of the total cavity depth and aids in the efficiency of power transfer to the cavity, in plasma initiation, and in circumventing the effects of a lack of homogeneity in the microwave field on analyte distribution in the plasma. The tangential helium flow was 41/min and the microwave power was 60 W.Presented in part at the 1989 European Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry, Reutte, Austria