Means of introducing an analyte into liquid sampling atmospheric pressure glow discharge

US9536725B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• Clemson University · US
• The Regents of the University of California · US
• Battelle Memorial Institute on behalf of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory · US

Inventors

• R. Kenneth Marcus · Seneca, US
• Charles Derrick Quarles, Jr. · San Jose, US
• Richard E. Russo · Walnut Creek, US
• David W. Koppenaal · Richland, US
• Charles J. Barinaga · Richland, US
• Anthony J. Carado · Richland, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 4, 2014
• Grant date: Jan 3, 2017
• Expiry date: Apr 3, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01J49/165
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A liquid sampling, atmospheric pressure, glow discharge (LS-APGD) device as well as systems that incorporate the device and methods for using the device and systems are described. The LS-APGD includes a hollow capillary for delivering an electrolyte solution to a glow discharge space. The device also includes a counter electrode in the form of a second hollow capillary that can deliver the analyte into the glow discharge space. A voltage across the electrolyte solution and the counter electrode creates the microplasma within the glow discharge space that interacts with the analyte to move it to a higher energy state (vaporization, excitation, and/or ionization of the analyte).