Patent ID: 9030659
Filing Date: 2015-05-12
Classification: G01J,G01N

Abstract:
1. A spark-induced breakdown spectroscopy apparatus, comprising: a) a housing having an inlet and an outlet defining an analyte flow path from the inlet to the outlet of the housing; b) a laser defining a laser pathway generally transverse to and intersecting the analyte flow path; c) a pair of electrode mounts within the housing, whereby tips of electrodes mounted in the housing define a line that is generally transverse to the analyte flow path; d) an insulating shield at each electrode mount, the insulating shields each having an edge, wherein the edges at least partially define a spark path that is transverse to and intersecting at a point in the analyte flow path and downstream along the analyte flow path from the point of intersection of the laser pathway and the analyte flow path, wherein the shields are each a sleeve that at least partially surrounds the electrode and extends beyond the tip of each electrode, and wherein the sleeves each define an opening at an end of the sleeve that is located beyond the tip of its respective electrode; and e) an optical detection element defining an optical path generally transverse to the analyte flow path and intersecting the analyte flow path at a point proximate to the intersection of the spark path and the analyte flow path.