Characterization of noise in inductively-coupled plasma emission spectrometry

The nebulizing process in inductively-coupled plasma emission spectrometry is a major source of the instrumental variability; an attempt has been made to isolate this source so that its influence on the final result could be evaluated. Direct measurements of the time-dependent variations of the sample supply to the plasma were achieved by using a device based on the light-scattering property of nebulized test solutions. The noise from the nebulizer and of the emission signal was characterized by autocovariance functions and power spectral densities. The types of noise observed showed f^{-$\text{1}\text{2}$} and f^{-$\text{1}\text{4}$} character, depending on the concentration of the test elements employed. Cross-covariance revealed a strong correlation between the noise sources considered. The applicability and limitations of possible correction and electronic filtering procedures are indicated.