I had the opportunity to work with an ICPMS a few years back in my analytical Chemistry class as an undergraduate. It is capable of amazingly accurate measurements. We did an exercise where we analyzed the chemical composition of a NIST sample, and I was able to analyze things very accurately (to the parts per billion level easily) using our ICPMS. The prep to prepare the tubes for it wasn't even that hard either. For our final projects, the students were all using ICPMS because, out of the twelve or so instruments we had, it simply gave the most sensitive analysis possible.
Having said this, you should be aware of some things about it that might not be apparent. One is that students should not operate the thing without a supervisor proficient at the instrument present at all times. For a few ideas as to why, first there was actually a 'self destruct" prompt built into our machine where if you say yes the machine destroys itself (probably present in case of emergencies with the plasma stream). You'd think it would be hidden or hard to access this prompt, but it was actually one of the easiest things to access! A student could easily stumble upon it, say yes, and ruin the machine in a heartbeat. Second, the thing uses up massive electricity to generate the plasma and the heat the machine generates would raise the temperature in the room considerably within 20 minutes. I mean you could notice it if you sat there. Third, I wasn't there for this when it actually happened, but apparently when you turn the thing on there is a chance that the initial buildup can shatter the glass casing surrounding the sample loading area. We would always have to sprint out of the room after powering up the plasma just in case before each sample run.
Aside from the dangers and concerns about the machine itself, the data you get from it IS awesome. In that sense as an analytical device I would easily take it over 10 atomic absorption spectrometers if given the choice (and enough money to run the thing
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