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ICP-AES is short for optical emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma. The plasma is formed by argon gas flowing through a radiofrequency field where it is kept in a state of partial ionisation, i.e. the gas consists partly of electrically charged particles. This allows it to reach very high temperatures of up to approx. 10,000ºC. At high temperature, most elements emit light of characteristic wavelengths which can be measured and used to determine the concentration.
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The sample being analysed is introduced into the plasma as a fine droplet aerosol. Light from the different elements is separated into different wavelengths by means of a grating and is captured by light-sensitive detectors. This permits simultaneous analysis of up to 40 elements and ICP-AES is consequently a multi-element technique. In terms of sensitivity, ICP-AES is generally comparable to flame atomic absorption, i.e. detection limits are typically at the µg/L level in aqueous solutions.
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