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US 7,929,138 B1Granted
Ambient-atmosphere glow discharge for determination of elemental concentration in solutions in a high-throughput or transient fashion
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
InventorsMichael R. Webb, Gary M. Hieftje, Francisco Andrade
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Abstract
An ambient atmosphere glow discharge spectrometer is disclosed having a capillary, two electrodes and a means for recording the atomic emissions.
Claims17
A method for analyzing the composition of a sample, the method comprising:
- a. placing the sample in an electrically nonconductive passageway interconnected to a second passageway containing a secondary flow fluid;
- b. adding a switch on the passageway, the switch interconnecting the passageway to the secondary passageway and alternating a position on the switch between an open position and a closed position so as to open the connection between the first and second passageways to allow the sample and secondary fluid to traverse the passageway;
- c. exposing the traversed sample to an electrical charge which is sufficient to elicit a glow discharge from the sample;
- and
- d. analyzing the discharge.
2 more elements
A method for analyzing the composition of a sample, the method comprising:
- a. filling an electrically nonconductive main passageway with a carrier gas by a switch interconnecting the main and secondary passageways so that when the switch is in the open position carrier gas enters the main passageway;
- b. placing the sample in the main passageway;
- c. allowing the sample and carrier gas to traverse the main passageway;
- d. exposing the traversed sample to an electrical charge which is sufficient to elicit a glow discharge from the sample;
- and
- e. analyzing the discharge.
3 more elements
A device for analyzing elemental composition of a sample, the device comprising:
- a. a hollow capillary tube having a proximal end and a distal end partially submerged in a solution enclosed by a reservoir,
- b. a first electrode connected to a power source placed over the distal end of the capillary tube and a second electrode partially submerged in the solution;
- c. a glow discharge formed by a sample emerging from the distal end of the capillary tube;
- and
- d. a record of atomic emissions from the glow discharge.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.