| Popis: |
Miniaturized analytical devices are more attractive than their macroscopic counterparts. Downscaling the size reduces the analyte volumes and enables faster analysis systems because of reduced transport lengths, and therefore miniaturized analysis systems are cheaper and quicker to use. Especially, microplasmas coupled with optical spectrometry are important tools for element analysis. The microplasma reflects the miniaturized version of a macroscopic, full-size plasma and acts as the sample dissociation and excitation source. Microplasmas can be generated in various forms such as direct current, capacitively coupled, microwave-induced, or inductively coupled plasmas. This article reviews recent developments of microplasmas for analytical atomic spectrometry. Furthermore, a description of the similarity principles related to electrical plasmas and the current-voltage characteristics of the most prominent types of discharges that are used for analytical applications is given. |
