Elemental analysis method

Abstract: In an elemental analysis method based on detection of atoms generated upon dissociation of the sample i.e. ICP-MS or ICP-AES a plasma (A) is generated by RF discharge via induction cell using a gas, e.g. Ar (2b), serving as a plasma source in a torch (2) having a frusto-conical end-section (2d). A sample flow (1a) obtained by evaporating the sample using the gas as a carrier gas or a sample flow containing a component of the sample is supplied to the plasma. The sample flow or the plasma containing the sample flow is changed into a spiral flow, and the component of the sample is dissociated. The sample is analyzed in accordance with the state of an atom generated by dissociation of the component of the sample. An elemental analysis apparatus is also disclosed.

Description: Background of the Invention The present invention relates to an elemental analysis method and apparatus. General analysis methods of elements contained in samples are atomic.emission spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, and the like. Among them all, RF inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-mass spectroscopy using an RF inductively coupled plasma torch is very popular because of its features excellent in sensitivity and accuracy. The RF inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy has a higher detection limit than that of RF inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy by three or more orders of magnitude and can analyze the concentration of an element on the order of ppt or less. A method of increasing the sensitivity in elemental analysis is to provide a higher-sensitivity detection system and a higher-efficiency sample supply system. Detection systems have been improved by employing a higher-sensitivity detection method and a high-transmittance detector. In an analysis method using an RF inductively coupled plasma torch, a detection method is changed from a method using optical Spectroscopy to RF inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy using a high-sensitivity plasma system spectrometer. This makes it possible to obtain a higher sensitivity than that of the RF inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy by three or more orders of magnitude. In the RF inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy, a double focusing mass spectrometer is employed in place of a quadrupole mass spectrometer to increase the sensitivity, and an apparatus having a detection limit of ppq which is 1/1000 of ppt is commercially available. The efficiency of a sample supply system has been improved by the development of an ultrasonic nebulizer and a desolvating nebulizer. It is known that the sensitivity in use of such a nebulizer can increase that in use of an ordinary nebulizer by about one to two orders of magnitude. Industry of high purity materials such as semiconductor materials necessitates the development of a higher-sensitivity analysis method and its improvement. Although the shape of a high-temperature flame depends on control of a sample flow, the sample flow is currently controlled by only its pressure and flow rate. The RF inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy and the RF inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy will be taken as examples. Pressurized argon gas is simply passed through a pipe in a currently commercially available apparatus. Although pressure control using a reducing valve and flow control using a flowmeter are, of course, performed, the sample flow itself is not controlled. As a result, argon is passed through the pipe in a turbulent flow state. This turbulent flow causes a pulsating flow which then causes instability of a plasma flame. The plasma flame is observed to have fluctuations such that the flame instantaneously extincts and repeats the ON and OFF states due to the generation of the pulsating flow. The instability of this plasma flame appears as variations in emission intensity and ion intensity, resulting in degradation of the accuracy. In addition, an argon turbulent flow is dispersed at a torch portion, and a focused plasma flame cannot be obtained. For this reason, the commercially available apparatus employs a scheme for obtaining a focused plasma flame by using a plasma torch having a triple structure in which a sample flow is surrounded by a double gas flow. A satisfactorily focused plasma flame, however, cannot be obtained. Therefore, a high-sensitivity, high-accuracy elemental analysis cannot be performed. The document "Applied Spectroscopy", May-June 1987, USA, Vol 41 no 4, pages 654-657, Smith T R et Al: 'A high-pressure inductively coupled plasma torch' relates to a high pressure inductively coupled plasma torch in which the end of the tube of the torch has been tapered down to an orifice for restricting the gas flow from the torch and builds up a back pressure within the torch, improving detection limits, sensitivity, and plasma stability. In the quartz torch, there is always a risk of fusing the torch itself by plasma. Even if the top portion is simply tapered, the tapered portion will be fused. Therefore, if the top portion is to be tapered, the tapered portion should be arranged to be as far away as possible from the center of the plasma. The document "Applied Spectroscopy", November 1992, USA, Vol 46 no 11, pages 1745-1746, Eames J C et Al: 'Practical design for an ICP demountable plasma torch' relates to a plasma torch comprising an outer tube and an intermediate tube shrinkfitted in a base, an inner tube inserted in a bush that has a three start helical U-shaped groove machined on its outer surface, which increases the gas and swirl velocities and help to stabilize the plasma. The spiral flow is induced by a helical grove. Furthermore, the controlled spiral flow caused by this helical guide is located very upstream of the plasma. JP-A-4026099 relates to a torch for high frequency plasma and an element analysis apparatus using the same. The torch comprises an external tube which is gradually tapered along the axial direction of the gas flow to enable a plasma to be formed stably. The gas flow becomes faster on the downstream side and a stable laminar flow range can be maintained with a small flow rate. Since the plasma generating gas is introduced tangentially into the inlet, the gas flow with helical rotation toward the distal end of the torch. EP-A-0335448 relates to an invention having for object to provide an improved plasma torch, such that the plasma beam to be genarated therewith can bridge a larger nozzle-to-workpiece distance than 15 mm. The plasma torch comprises an annular channel which tapers towards the outlet aperture rendering possible for gas flowing to converge the plasma beam so that it can bridge a large gap between the nozzle and the workpiece. The plasma torch taught by this document has an object different from this of the present invention. The document "Transaction of the Japan society for aeronautical & space sciences", February 1991, ISSN 0549-3811, Vol. 33, no. 102, pages 141-153, "Focusing phenomenom and stability of spiral-flow jet", by Horii K. et Al., relates to a device, based on an annular slit connected with a conical cylinder developped for obtaining an improved focusing and highly stable spiral jet stream. The fluid passing through the conical cylinder develops a spiral structure caused by Coanda effect and the instability of flow. Summary of the Invention The present invention has been made to solve the conventional problems described above, and has as its object to provide an elemental analysis method and apparatus capable of analyzing an element with a high sensitivity and a high accuracy. In order to achieve the above object according to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an elemental analysis method for analyzing a sample as an analysis target using atoms generated upon dissociation of the sample, said method comprising: generating a plasma in a torch using a gas supplied thereto as a plasma source, said torch having a conical cylinder for emitting the generated plasma, whose diameter is shaped to become smaller towards the distal end of the torch with a taper angle; supplying to the plasma a sample flow containing a component of the sample; reforming the plasma containing the sample flow into a spiral flow; dissociating by said plasma the component of said sample supplied to said plasma; and analyzing the sample in accordance with a state of an atom generated by dissociation of the component of the sample; characterized in that: the diameter of the distal end portion of said torch is 0,1 - 100 mm; the taper angle lies within the range 5° - 60°; and the gas flow rate is adjusted, such that the Reynolds number in the radial direction of the gas flow at the distal end of the torch is not more than -6, thereby focusing the plasma flame at the outlet of the torch. According to another aspect of the present invention, the sample flow is obtained by evaporating the sample using the source gas as a carrier gas. According to another aspect of the present invention, the state of the atom generated by dissociation of the component of the sample is detected using photodetecting means for detecting optical characteristics of the atom in the plasma emitted from said torch. According to another aspect of the present invention, the state of the atom generated by dissociation of the component of the sample is detected using a detector comprising: an ion analyzer disposed immediately after said torch; and an ion detector for detecting the atom emitted from said torch after passage through said ion analyzer. Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing an elemental analysis apparatus according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic view showing another elemental analysis apparatus according to the present invention; Fig. 3 is a graph showing the difference between a normal turbulent flow and a spiral flow in a torch of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a view showing the actual state of a conventional plasma torch; Fig. 5 is a view showing the actual state of the plasma torch of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a graph showing a phosphorus analysis result using a mass spectrometer using the conventional torch; and Fig. 7 is a graph showing a phosphorus analysis result using a mass spectrometer using the torch of the present invention. Description of the Preferred Embodiments Fig. 1 shows the main part of an atomic absorption spectrochemical analysis apparatus using spiral flow ICP. As shown in Fig. 1, a sample solution in a sample supply unit 1 is supplied to a tube 2a of a plasma torch 2 through a sample tube 1a. This silica glass plasma torch 2 has a triple structure. Ar gas is supplied from a cooling gas system 2b and an auxiliary gas system 2c so as to surround the sample supply tube 2a. A plasma chamber 2d of the plasma torch 2 has a conical cylinder. In addition, an RF addition cold coil 3 is wound on the plasma chamber 2d. When an RF power (27.12 MHz) is applied from the cold coil 3 to the plasma chamber 2d while Ar is kept supplied to the plasma chamber 2d, a plasma 4 is generated in the plasma chamber 2d. Ar supplied from the cooling gas system 2b is consumed as a plasma source in the plasma chamber 2d while cooling the outer wall of the plasma torch 2. Ar supplied from the auxiliary gas system 2c is supplied to push up the plasma 4 generated in the plasma chamber 2d so as not to drop the plasma 4 to the distal end portion of the sample supply tube 2a. In addition, this Ar gas is supplied from a portion near the distal end of the sample supply tube 2a, so that the sample solution is evaporated and the sample gas is supplied from the distal end of the sample supply tube 2a to the plasma chamber 2d. The vapor of the sample solution is supplied to the plasma chamber 2d in which the plasma 4 is generated upon application of an RF power. The sample supplied to the plasma 4 is ionized by the plasma 4. The outer diameter of the plasma torch 2 is 20 mm, the diameter d of a nozzle at the distal end of the plasma torch 2 is 11 mm, and the taper angle  of the torch portion is 13°. The emission or absorption spectrum of the sample ionized in the plasma 4 is detected by a detector 5 to analyze the ions. Fig. 2 shows the main part of a mass spectrometer using the ICP according to the present invention. In this mass spectroscopy, a sample ionized in a plasma chamber 2d of a plasma torch 2 and emitted from the plasma torch 2 is deflected in a magnetic field from a separator 6. The deflected ionized sample reaches a mass spectrometer 7 comprised of a Faraday cup and is detected by this mass spectrometer 7. In this mass spectrometer, the outer diameter of the plasma torch 2 is 20 mm, the diameter of a nozzle at the distal end of the plasma torch 2 is 11 mm, and the taper angle  of the distal end portion is 13°. Unlike in this embodiment, in a conventional plasma torch whose distal end is not tapered, supply ports of cooling and auxiliary gases are offset from the center, thus providing a structure with a certain rotating component. That is, a turbulent flow is generated in a conventional torch, but does not produce a satisfactorily focused plasma flame. Even if the outlet port of a torch is simply tapered, a focused plasma flame cannot be obtained. This simply tapered outlet port increases a pressure loss and fails to assure a static pressure. Therefore, a gas tends not to flow and cannot be focused. To the contrary, in this embodiment, the conical cylinder of the plasma torch 2 is tapered into a given shape (conical shape). When a gas is supplied, it becomes a spiral flow. The spiral flow produces a stable plasma flame upon application of an RF power to the spiral flow. The given shape is obtained by setting the Reynolds number (S Re ) to -6 or less in the radial direction of the gas flow. The Reynolds number S Re is defined as S Re = V r R/γ R where V r is the function V r = f(V za , ) between the average axial velocity V za and the taper angle  at the conical cylinder of the torch, and γ R is the kinematic viscosity. The diameter of the distal end portion of the torch is defined as d = 2R. A spiral flow is apparently generated when the Reynolds number is -6 or less. More specifically, when the diameter of the distal end portion of the torch is 0.1 to 100 mm, and the taper angle of the distal end portion of the torch falls within the range of 5° to 60°, a spiral flow is generated. Fig. 3 shows the difference between a normal turbulent flow and the spiral flow obtained by the torch of this embodiment. The Reynolds numbers of the turbulent flow and the spiral flow for a swirl number of 0.3 are plotted along the abscissa of Fig. 3, and the half widths of the plasma flame spreads are plotted along the ordinate of Fig. 3. As can be apparent from Fig. 3, the half width of the plasma flame spread abruptly decreases near |6| of the Reynolds number to obtain a spiral flow, thereby focusing the plasma flame. As described above, the same sample supply amount is set for the conventional torch and the above-described spiral flow torch of the present invention, the concentrations of impurities, i.e., sample elements to be detected, except for Ar contained in the plasma flame are increased by a focused component. When the diameter of an area where the focused plasma flame can be detected is much smaller than the outer diameter of the plasma flame, the above effect can be greatly enhanced. For example, when the diameter of the area where the plasma flame can be detected is set 1/2 the outer diameter of the plasma flame, the impurity concentration increases four times, so that the sensitivity increases four times. When the diameter of the area where the plasma flame can be detected is set 1/3 the outer diameter of the plasma flame, the impurity concentration becomes nine times. Therefore, the sensitivity becomes nine times accordingly, and the sensitivity increases by about one order of magnitude. The spiral flow is as close as a laminar flow and is almost free from a pulsating flow. The spiral flow also has a strong directivity, so that a stable flame almost free from fluctuations can be obtained. For this reason, the impurity and plasma profiles can be obtained with good repeatability, and the repetition accuracy can be improved. Figs. 4 and 5 show the states of plasmas obtained by the conventional plasma torch and the plasma torch of the present invention, respectively. A 27.12-MHz RF power having an output of 1 kW was applied to the plasma chamber of each torch, and a sample flow was supplied at a flow rate of 0.55 (ℓ/min). Ar was supplied as a cooling gas at a flow rate of 15 (ℓ/min), and Ar is supplied as auxiliary gas at a flow rate of 0.5 (ℓ/min). As shown in Fig. 4, a plasma flame is not focused in the conventional plasma torch. As shown in Fig. 5, however, a plasma flame is focused in the plasma torch of the present invention. Consequently, in the elemental analysis apparatuses shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and the elemental analysis method using such an apparatus, since the sample flow becomes a spiral flow in the plasma torch, the focused plasma flame can be obtained. As a result, an element contained in a sample in a very small amount can be analyzed with a high sensitivity. As the central portion of the plasma flame of the spiral flow has a high flow velocity, the plasma flame does not almost interact with the tube wall of the torch. As shown in Fig. 5, the plasma flame will not directly contact the tube wall of the torch. The plasma flame does not melt the torch, and the analysis sensitivity and accuracy are not adversely affected by contamination caused by chemical reactions between the torch and the sample components. Since a stable plasma flame almost free from fluctuations can be obtained according to the present invention, elemental analysis can be performed with a high accuracy. For example, when a 10 ppm lanthanum solution was subjected to mass spectroscopy using a conventional plasma torch at a sample flow rate of 1.0 (ℓ/min) under the conditions that an RF output having a frequency of 27.12 MHz was set to 1.4 kW, a cooling gas flow rate was set to 12.0 (ℓ/min), and auxiliary gas flow rate was set to 0.5 (ℓ/min), the intensity of 139 La was counted as 7.4 x 10 10 in a Farady cup (detector) measurement. To the contrary, under the same conditions as described above, in the analysis in the mass spectrometer (Fig. 2) using the plasma torch of the present invention, the intensity of 139 La was counted as 1.6 x 10 11 , thus improving the sensitivity to about twice that of the conventional analysis. As the repeatability in 10 measurements, the relative standard deviation (RSD) in the analysis using the conventional plasma torch was 4.04%. However, in the analysis using the plasma torch of the present invention, the relative standard deviation was 1.04%, which greatly improved the accuracy. In addition, since the plasma flame is surrounded by the gases at the distal end portion of the torch, sensitivity and accuracy degradations caused by interference of components in the air can be prevented. A phosphorus analysis will be described below. Fig. 6 shows a phosphorus analysis result in a mass spectrometer using the conventional torch, while Fig. 7 shows a phosphorus analysis result in a mass spectrometer using the torch of the present invention. The concentration of a phosphorus sample to be analyzed is 10 ppb, and the analysis resolution is set to 3,000 or more. As shown in Fig. 6, in the mass spectroscopy of 31 P using an ICP, 15 N 16 O and 14 N 16 O 1 H are interference ions. As shown in Fig. 7, when the torch of the present invention is used, the 31 P detection peak height becomes almost doubled. No changes occur in the detection peak heights of 15 N 16 O and 14 N 16 O 1 H as interference ions. That is, as is apparent, the influence of the interference ions can be relatively halved by using the torch of the present invention. As has been described above, the elemental analysis method and apparatus of the present invention use a torch in which the outlet port for emitting a generated plasma is conical cylinder with a given taper angle. With this structure, a sample flow becomes a spiral flow to focus a plasma flame in an area of the torch where the plasma is generated. According to the present invention, elemental analysis can be performed with a high sensitivity. At the same time, since a stable flame almost free from fluctuations can be obtained, elemental analysis can be performed with a high accuracy.

Claims: An elemental analysis method for analyzing a sample as an analysis target using atoms generated upon dissociation of the sample, said method comprising: generating a plasma (4) in a torch (2) using a gas supplied thereto as a plasma source, said torch having a conical cylinder for emitting the generated plasma (4), whose diameter is shaped to become smaller towards the distal end of the torch with a taper angle (); supplying to the plasma (4) a sample flow containing a component of the sample; reforming the plasma (4) containing the sample flow into a spiral flow; dissociating by said plasma the component of said sample supplied to said plasma; and analyzing the sample in accordance with a state of an atom generated by dissociation of the component of the sample; characterized in that: the diameter of the distal end portion of said torch is 0.1 - 100 mm; the taper angle () lies within the range 5°-60°; and the gas flow rate is adjusted, such that the Reynolds number (S Re ) in the radial direction of the gas flow at the distal end of the torch is not more than -6, thereby focusing the plasma flame at the outlet of the torch. The method of claim 1, wherein the sample flow is obtained by evaporating the sample using the source gas as a carrier gas. The method of claim 1, wherein the state of the atom generated by dissociation of the component of the sample is detected using photodetecting means for detecting optical characteristics of the atom in the plasma emitted from said torch (2). The method of claim 1, wherein the state of the atom generated by dissociation of the component of the sample is detected using a detector comprising: an ion analyzer (6) disposed immediately after said torch (2); and an ion detector (7) for detecting the atom emitted from said torch (2) after passage through said ion analyzer (6).

Inventors: HORII KIYOSHI, ISHII YOSHIKAZU, KUROSAWA SATORU, HORII, KIYOSHI, ISHII, YOSHIKAZU, KUROSAWA, SATORU
Applicants: NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE, NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION
Application year: 1996
Main classification: H05H1
IPC codes: H05H1, H01J49, G01N21