Prodigy DC Arc - Teledyne Leeman Labs

Prodigy DC Arc
Garry Kunselman, Maura Mahar and Peter Brown
Teledyne Leeman Labs 6 Wentworth Drive Hudson, NH 03051
And
Paul Dalager
Analytical Reference Materials international
www.leemanlabs.com

Why DC Arc
The DC Arc Perspective
Fast, quantitative multielement analysis of difficult to dissolve samples
are hallmarks of the DC Arc approach.
Few other techniques can challenge the ease-of-use or productivity of
DC Arc for samples that are difficult or impossible to digest.
AA, ICP and ICP - MS are powerful techniques but typically require
the sample be put into the liquid form.
• the digestion process always results in a large dilution of the
analyte elements, problem for many apps
• the digestion process does not eliminate the sample matrix, this
is a problem for applications with matrix element
spectral interferences
www.leemanlabs.com

Prodigy DC Arc –state-of-the-art DC Arc
Fast, quantitative multielement analysis of difficult to dissolve
samples are hallmarks of the DC Arc approach.
Advantages Include:
• Speed of analysis – typically about 1 minuet per sample
• Great for difficult to dissolve samples
• No sample digestion
• ideal for ceramics, metal nitrides, metal carbides,
• ideal for graphite
• ideal for geological materials and soils
• ideal for nuclear material (e.g. uranium oxide, plutonium oxide)
• Favorable limits of detection (typically < 1ppm in the solid)
• eliminates the sample dilution inherent in acid digestions
• ideal for trace elements in high purity Cu
• ideal for trace elements in precious metals
Prodigy - The possibilities are limitless !

Prodigy DC Arc –state-of-the-art DC Arc
• The DC Arc Plasma Source
– Sample deposited into electrode cup
– High temperature DC Plasma struck between electrodes
– Analyte is distilled away from matrix or consumed with it
– Analyte signal is time dependent
– Does not require argon or other gases for many applications

Brief History of DC Arc - photographic
• Original Instruments were 3.4 m Photographic Plate Spectrometers
• Captured the full spectrum photographically, but were cumbersome in
terms of data handling – no computers
• Photographic plates are no longer available

Brief History of DC Arc – PMT & CID
AtomComp 2000
Good instruments, but no
longer built or supported.
Stand alone aftermarket source with
Fiber optic interface
UV issues, worldwide support issues

Brief History of DC Arc
Historical DC Arc Sources
• Awkward “jaw style” electrode clamps
• Awkward “Stallwood” jet
The “Spex” Stand
The TJA Stand

Brief History of DC Arc
Historical Issues Associated with DC Arc
• Analysts that use them absolutely swear by them
• “no other technique that provides what the DC Arc does”
• Photographic plates are no longer available for the 3.4 m
• Early Arc sources were a bit cumbersome and not automated
• difficult “jaw style” electrode clamps
• awkward “Stallwood” jets
• no current control of the source
• Limited market of 10 to 20 units per year led to limited investment in
improvements of the technology or instrumentation

Prodigy DC Arc – state-of-the-art DC Arc
• Automated, compact, bench top DC Arc
• Ergonomically designed arc stand
• Simple electrode changes
• Built in “Stallwood Jet”
• Improved precision
•current controlled of the DC Arc
• Simultaneous background correction
• Simultaneous internal standardization
• Powerful full spectrum data capture
• Provides qualitative and/or quantitative analysis
• Allows spectral addition and subtraction

Prodigy DC Arc – state-of-the-art DC Arc

Prodigy DC Arc – state-of-the-art DC Arc
Prodigy DC Arc’s state-of-the-art DC Arc source
• current control of the arc current
• simple electrode changes
• built-in “Stallwood Jet”

Prodigy DC Arc – state-of-the-art DC Arc
Prodigy DC Arc’s state-of-the-art DC Arc source

Prodigy DC Arc – state-of-the-art DC Arc
Ergonomic improvements to the DC Arc stand
Access to The Counter Electrode
• Counter electrode rotates out of the way so you do not have to “crank” it
up and down for each sample
• Simply rotate the electrode holder and change the electrode.

Prodigy DC Arc – state-of-the-art DC Arc
Ergonomic improvements to the DC Arc stand
Sample Electrode Insertion
• Counter electrode rotates out of the way
• The new sample electrode and be inserted from the top or bottom of the
electrode holder and as accurately positioned automatically.

Prodigy DC Arc – state-of-the-art DC Arc
Ergonomic improvements to the DC Arc stand
Easily accommodates a wide range of sample electrodes
• Mushroom electrode (for Cu analysis) shown with counter electrode
slightly raised.

Prodigy DC Arc – state-of-the-art DC Arc
Fully Automated / Programmable control of source parameters
• Independently programmable control of the arc current as
well as argon and oxygen gases (when used)

Prodigy DC Arc – state-of-the-art DC Arc
Data collection versatility
• Fast qualitative analysis for spectral fingerprinting
• Time resolved analysis – for method development
• Fast accurate quantitative analysis
• The peak area can be placed anywhere in the subarray
• peak area can be changed from 1 pixel to any number of pixels wide
• The background points can be placed anywhere in the subarray
• can be single or double sided
• can contain multiple pixels

Prodigy DC Arc – state-of-the-art DC Arc
Advanced Calibration Capability
• Fractional Exponent Quadratic
• handles extreme curvature with improved accuracy ( in green)
Note: simple
quadratic curve
fits poorly

Prodigy DC Arc – state-of-the-art DC Arc
Time Resolved Analysis scan of silicon carbide

Prodigy DC Arc – state-of-the-art DC Arc
Full Spectrum Acquisition of Ni
• Note signal from wavelengths below Carbon 193.0

Prodigy DC Arc – state-of-the-art DC Arc
Prodigy DC Arc Provides:
• Automated, compact, bench top DC Arc
• Ergonomically designed arc stand
• Simple electrode changes
• Built in “Stallwood Jet”
• Improved precision
•current controlled of the DC Arc
• Simultaneous background correction
• Simultaneous internal standardization
• Captures full spectrum
• Provides qualitative and/or quantitative analysis
• Allows spectral addition and subtraction