Newsgroups: sci.physics.plasma
From: mwbz@unixg.ubc.ca (Mike Blades)
Organization: University of British Columbia
Subject: Re: Plasma Science & Technology Subject Area List

[moderator's comment: In general, suggestions/corrections for the
plasma science and technology topic list will not be posted individually.
However, this submission was clearly worth sharing without delay.}

In article <2vs73i$ooi@mojo.eng.umd.edu>, you wrote:
>
> IMPORTANT INFORMATION for all NEWSGROUP readers:
> The following list of topics in PLASMA SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY,
> other than fusion, is an attempt at a comprehensive listing for this broad,
> broad, interdisciplinary field. Newgroup readers are invited to submit
> corrections and updates at any time and the moderator will periodically
> update ....

Hi;
I looked pretty hard and couldn't find a reference to plasmas for
analytical chemistry. The following is a summary of the application
I am thinking of:

Analytical atomic spectroscopy deals with the determination of elements in
a sample by converting these elements to the atomic form. Samples are for
the most part in the liquid or solid state and thus an important aspect of
atomic spectrometry is the atomization step, that is, the liberation of the
sought for elements (analyte elements) from the sample matrix. The agent
which usually carries out this liberation process is called the
spectroscopic source. Weakly ionized plasmas are often used as
spectroscopic sources. Specific devices include direct current (Arcs) and
alternating current (Sparks) plasmas, inductively coupled plasmas (ICP),
microwave induced plasmas (MIP) and surface wave plasmas (Surfatron),
capacitively coupled plasmas (CCP and CMP) glow discharges (GD), flowing
afterglows, Theta pinch discharges, exploding films and wires, and laser
produced plasmas.

Of these, the atmospheric pressure inductively coupled plasma (ICP) is the
most important. There are currently about 6000-8000 ICP units in the field
operating in this application. I can expand further if you require.

Best regards;

Mike Blades
University of British Columbia
References: <2vs73i$ooi@mojo.eng.umd.edu>
Organiz

------------------------------------------
M.W. Blades...Chemistry...University of British Columbia
Internet Address..................................mwbz@unixg.ubc.ca
Telephone: 604-822-4468...............FAX: 604-822-2847
------------------------------------------