Microwave-Induced Plasma Excitation Source

Introduction

A microwave-induced plama consists of a quartz tube surrounded by a microwave waveguide or cavity. Microwaves produced from a magnetron (a microwave generator) fill the waveguide or cavity and cause the electrons in the plasma support gas to oscillate. The oscillating electons collide with other atoms in the flowing gas to create and maintain a high-temperature plasma. As in inductively coupled plasmas, a spark is needed to create some initial electrons to create the plasma. Atomic emission is measured from excited analyte atoms as they exit the microwave waveguide or cavity.