Novel sample introduction system to reduce ICP-OES sample size for plutonium metal trace impurity determination

A new methodology for trace elemental analysis in plutonium metal samples was developed by interfacing the novel micro-FAST sample introduction system with an ICP-OES instrument. This integrated system, especially when coupled with a low flow rate nebulization technique, reduced the sample volume requirement significantly. Improvements to instrument sensitivity and measurement precision, as well as long term stability, were also achieved by this modified ICP-OES system. The sample size reduction, together with other instrument performance merits, is of great significance, especially to nuclear material analysis.