Inductively Coupled Plasma Based Atomic Analysis Systems and Methods

An inductively coupled plasma (ICP) torch box comprising:

• (a) a demountable inductively coupled plasma (ICP) torch holder assembly, comprising:
• an inner torch body comprising an inner tube coupled to an inner tube base;
• an outer torch body comprising an outer tube coupled to an outer tube base;
• a torch holder retaining a demountable inner torch base and a demountable outer torch base;
• (b) an ICP load coil positioned around the outer tube, comprising:
• a cylindrical coil;
• wherein the cylindrical coil comprises an annular fin;
• wherein the annular fin is contiguous for at least an eighth of a turn of the cylindrical coil;
• wherein the ICP load coil predominantly comprises a metal or alloy that has a lower rate of oxidation during operation than copper;
• (c) an external ignition device for igniting a plasma in an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) torch, the ignition device comprising:
• a circuit comprising:
• an oscillator;
• a first high voltage transformer coupled to a first electrode;
• a second high voltage transformer coupled to a second electrode;
• wherein the ignition device is configured to ignite the plasma by dielectric barrier discharge;
• and
• wherein the first and second electrodes are positioned on opposite sides of the outer tube and within 5 millimeters of the outer tube.

A demountable inductively coupled plasma (ICP) torch holder assembly, comprising:

• an inner torch body comprising an inner tube coupled to an inner tube base;
• an outer torch body comprising an outer tube coupled to an outer tube base;
• a torch holder configured to receive the inner torch base and the outer torch base;
• wherein the inner tube and the outer tube define an annular region when the torch holder retains the inner torch base and the outer torch base.