ABSTRACT
The inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) technique combined the energy of an argon-based plasma with an optical spectrometer and detection system capable of measuring low-level emission signals, which allowed laboratories to perform rapid, automated, multielement analyses at trace concentrations. This chapter gives a detailed description of the fundamental principles together with method development optimization procedures and operational requirements of this technique. Most ICP-OES applications require the delivery of a sample to the instrument’s plasma in the form of an aerosol. The generation of a proper aerosol is a significant factor in determining the quality of the resulting emission signals and data. The chapter discusses the parameters that should be taken into consideration to ensure the method development optimization for the ICP-OES technique: analytical wavelengths, interferences, plasma parameters, data acquisition parameters, and validation of method.
