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January 6, 2009

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Solis-500 Solids Introduction System

The CETAC SOLIS 500 is a laser based sample introduction system specifically designed for bulk quantitative analysis for ICP-OES systems. Virtually any solid sample can be ablated without sample dissolution.
  • Designed to couple easily with any ICP-OES system
  • No viewing optics or complex sample focusing
  • Precision and accuracy similar to classical solid sampling techniques
  • Conductive and non-conductive sampling
  • Simple setup and operation
  • Virtually maintenance free
  • Laser head stability < 1% at full power

Figure 1: The SOLIS 500 Solid Sampling Accessory.

Principal of Operation

The SOLIS 500 creates a fine aerosol that is liberated from the solid sample surface during ablation with a Nd:YAG laser operating at the fundamental wavelength of 1064 nm. The sampling platform is motor driven and many different sample shapes and sizes are easily placed in the ablation cell. The SOLIS 500 is operated using a keyboard that controls the following functions: rastering, rastering speed, gas flow, safety interlocks and status. The control system is designed for simple and safe operation. Each sample setup and analysis takes only 2 minutes since the system contains no viewing optics to adjust. The user simply places a sample in the holder and presses a key to seal the sampling platform. All gas lines are purged using an automatic interlock system requiring no operator intervention.

Figure 2: Short-term signal stability using NIST 1263, %RSD = 2.6%.

 

Figure 2 shows five minute signal stability using the low-alloy steel NIST 1263 at a rastering rate of 10 µm/sec. Signal precision is 2.6% RSD with a mean intensity for Mn 257.6 2.47 x 106 (15,000 ppm wt/wt) or 160 intensity units/ppm by axial ICP-OES.

Performance Evaluation

Several key parameters can be adjusted to improve count rate and precision. These parameters include: nebulizer gas flow, raster speed, laser energy and pulse repetition rate. SOLIS 500 incorporates a custom designed sample cell that allows thorough mixing of the fine sample aerosol and allows for efficient transfer to the ICP.

Figure 3 shows estimated detection limits in low-alloy steels for several elements along with correlation coefficients generated from the NIST series of standards.

Element/Wavelength

LOD 3s (ppm wt/wt)

Correl. Coeff. (r2 )*

Al 308

1.5

0.9999

Co 228

2.4

0.9999

Cr 205

0.7

0.9999

Cu 324

0.1

0.9999

Mn 257

0.1

0.9994

Mo 202

1.2

1

Ni 232

1.3

1

Pb 220

3.3

0.8941

Ti 334

0.06

1

V 292

6.9

0.9998

* Calibration generated using NIST standards 1261, 1263 and 1264.

Figure 3: Estimated LOD in NIST low alloy steels with calibration correlation coefficients.

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Last updated 15 Dec 2008
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