Chapter 4 The Future of Intelligent Spectrometers in Speciation by Atomic Emission Spectrometry

Future research in the area of atomic emission spectroscopic detection of chromatographic eluates employing collision induced dissociation (CID) technology should benefit from the tremendous flexibility in wavelength selection afforded by a CID/AES system, as well as the sensitivity offered by the CID. The CID is easily capable of following transient signals which require recording on sub-second time intervals, allowing the system to be applicable in all areas of chromatography. Element specific detection employing a plasma emission source offers high sensitivity regardless of the chemical origin of the detected elements and can greatly reduce the restrictions on the mobile phases which may be employed. The single largest drawback toward obtaining the detection limits for some analysis is the poor efficiency of the nebulization systems for the plasma sources. Detection limits are degraded by the inefficiency of typical nebulizers. Current research into alternate nebulizers, such as the ultrasonic nebulizer indicates that increases in detection by a factor of 10 to 20 are possible.