Laboratory Excellence and AccreditationInductively Coupled Plasma Techniques
Plasma based techniques deliver multi element determination at low detection limits, which makes them the standard for environmental, geological and metallurgical work where many elements matter at once. This course covers operating them. Delegates work through plasma generation and the instrument's components, the choice between optical emission and mass spectrometric detection and what each is best at, and calibration including internal standardisation. Interferences receive detailed treatment, particularly the polyatomic and isobaric interferences that affect mass spectrometric detection and the collision and reaction cell techniques used against them. Sample introduction, digestion and dissolved solids limits complete the programme.
Course objectives
- Explain plasma generation and the instrument's components
- Choose between optical emission and mass spectrometric detection
- Calibrate with internal standardisation and verify performance
- Identify spectral, polyatomic and isobaric interferences
- Apply collision and reaction cell techniques appropriately
- Prepare, digest and introduce samples within dissolved solids limits
- Troubleshoot sensitivity loss, drift and matrix suppression
Who should attend
- Analytical chemists and senior laboratory analysts
- Environmental and water laboratory staff
- Geochemical and metallurgical laboratory personnel
- Method development scientists
- Laboratory technical managers
Course outline
- 01Plasma generation and instrument components
- 02Optical emission against mass spectrometric detection
- 03Calibration and internal standardisation
- 04Spectral interferences
- 05Polyatomic and isobaric interferences
- 06Collision and reaction cell techniques
- 07Sample introduction and dissolved solids limits
- 08Digestion, troubleshooting and matrix suppression
Scheduled sessions
| Dates | Venue | Format | Price | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 September to 2 October 2026 | Online | Online | R8,500 per delegate | Register Now |
| 2 to 6 November 2026 | Johannesburg, South Africa | Classroom | R19,950 per delegate | Register Now |
| 1 to 5 March 2027 | Cape Town, South Africa | Classroom | R19,950 per delegate | Register Now |