ELAN® DRC II – PerkinElmer

 

 

ELAN DRC II

the ultimate in

ICP-MS performance

the ultimate tool

for the world’s most difficult applications

SimulScan
Simultaneous
dual-stage detector
with 9 orders of
dynamic range

DRC with Dynamic
Bandpass Tuning
Efficiently screens
out interferences
while maximizing
analyte transmission

Axial Field
Technology
Optimizes
performance
and speed in
all matrices

PlasmaLok
Easy optimization and
extended cone life

All-quartz Sample
Introduction System
Minimizes contamination

Platinum
Quick-change
Interface Cones
Easy maintenance,
maximum uptime

Dynamic Reaction Cell (DRC)
with Axial Field Technology
provides superior interference
removal and performance for
all applications.

AutoRes™
Custom resolution minimizes
spectral interferences and
improves detection limits

High-speed Quadrupole
Fast transient-signal analysis

AutoLens
Optimizes voltage
for each element

When your applications extend beyond the capabil-
ities of conventional ICP-MS or the ELAN® DRC-e
systems, you need the power of the ELAN DRC II.
The ELAN DRC II combines the power of patented
Dynamic Reaction Cell™ (DRC) technology, perform-
ance-enhancing Axial Field™ Technology (AFT) and
a high-performance sample introduction system with
the ability to run any reaction gas. The result is the
ultimate analytical tool, providing uncompromised
sensitivity and performance in all matrices for the
world’s most difficult applications. Unlike collision-
cell, high-resolution or cool-plasma systems, the ELAN
DRC II completely eliminates polyatomic interferences,
minimizing background equivalent concentrations,
while maintaining analyte sensitivity, providing ultra-
trace-level detection limits in virtually any sample.

The ELAN DRC II uses chemical resolution to eliminate
plasma-based polyatomic species before they reach
the quadrupole mass spectrometer. This ion-molecule
chemistry uses a gas to “chemically scrub” polyatomic
or isobaric species from the ion beam before they enter
the analyzer, resulting in improved detection limits
for difficult elements such as Fe, Ca, K, Mg, As, Se, Cr, V
and others.

Unlike other cell-based systems, patented DRC techno-
logy not only reduces the primary interference – it elim-
inates sequential side reactions before they can occur to
create new interferences. Unless kept in check by DRC
technology, these uncontrolled reactions increase spec-
tral complexity and create unexpected interferences.

The lowest detection limits

The superior interference reduction and maximum
analyte transmission provided by the ELAN DRC II
produces excellent signal-to-background ratios. Back-
ground levels measured on-peak are typically less than
1 count per second – 50 to 150 times better than those
reported by users of collision-cell based systems.

The ELAN DRC II does not use high-voltage ion-extrac-
tion lenses that can become contaminated. This results
in lower on-peak background levels and more impor-
tantly, a lower background equivalent concentration
(BEC) – the real measure of detectability. If the signal
falls below the BEC, it is masked by the background.
In situations where ultratrace measurements are made,
the BEC actually limits the analysis, not the detection
limit. Lower BECs mean that ultratrace levels can be
accurately quantitated, not just detected.

2

eliminates interferences

for superior performance

How does the DRC work?

The DRC is located between the ion optics and the mass-
analyzer quadrupole. It consists of a quadrupole placed
inside an enclosed reaction chamber. This quadrupole
eliminates polyatomic interferences caused by the com-
bination of plasma gases and sample-matrix constituents
before they can enter the analyzing quadrupole.

Gas inlets pressurize the reaction chamber with a low
flow of reaction gas, such as ammonia, methane, oxygen
or other gases and gas mixtures. The reaction gas is
selected based on its predictable ability to undergo a gas-
phase chemical reaction with the interfering species
and remove the interference. Interference removal can
occur through various processes, including collisional
dissociation, electron transfer, proton transfer and oxi-
dation. Analyte and interfering ions from the ICP enter
the DRC. The reaction gas combines with the interfer-
ing ions, creating a non-interfering reaction product at a
different mass. For extremely demanding applications,
the DRC also provides the unique ability to carry out
controlled reactions that can be used to predictably and
reliably convert the analyte of interest to a different
species, moving it away from the interference. No other
system offers this level of predictable, controllable,
reproducible or transferable chemistries, facilitating
maximum interference removal in virtually any matrix.

Unlike collision-cell instruments, which pass all the
reaction products into the analyzer quadrupole where
they may cause interferences for other analytes, the
DRC eliminates reaction by-products using the Dynamic

Reaction Cell
Quadrupole

Reaction
Gas Inlet

Bandpass Tuning (DBT) mechanism. The DBT function
ejects the precursor ions before they can react to form
new interferences – a real concern with complex sample
matrices. The ELAN DRC II is able to eliminate inter-
ferences by up to 9 orders of magnitude, while retaining
analyte sensitivity. This provides exceptional detection
limits and the ability to use ICP-MS to determine more
elements than previously thought possible.

Leaves cool plasma out in the cold

DRC technology always uses a high-temperature or
“hot” plasma for analysis, eliminating the recognized
drawbacks of cool- or warm-plasma approaches. Cooler-
temperature plasmas have limited ability to ionize all
but the most easily ionizable elements. As a result,
cool plasmas also suffer from severe suppression of the
analyte signal by matrix constituents and often require
the use of standard additions calibration. This decreas-
es sensitivity, degrades detection limits and restricts the
number of interferences that can be removed.

Using the cool-plasma approach, elements which bene-
fit from cool-plasma conditions must be run in a sep-
arate analysis from normal plasma elements, requiring
each sample to be run twice. The ELAN DRC II can run
all these elements in the same run, increasing produc-
tivity. And, the ELAN DRC II provides interference-free
determination of elements that cold plasma cannot,
such as Cr, V, As and Se.

Mass Analyzer
Quadrupole

Reaction gas “scrubs
out” interferences

Analyte Ion

Isobaric Interference

The Dynamic Reaction Cell chemically scrubs interfering species from
the ion beam, using a reaction gas.

The DRC can eliminate 40Ar+ interference on 40Ca+, as is shown by
the reaction-gas optimization plot. The red line shows the reduction of
the 40Ar+ signal by over 7 orders of magnitude.

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no limits performance

for demanding applications

In addition to eliminating interferences in tradition-
ally difficult-to-determine elements, the ELAN DRC II
system has been specifically designed for the world’s
most difficult applications, including semiconductor
analyses, providing unsurpassed levels of performance
for ICP-MS.

The ELAN DRC II utilizes a low-background quartz
sample introduction system that has been field-proven
in hundreds of laboratories around the world, including
semiconductor, clinical and research facilities. The
quartz concentric nebulizer and cyclonic spray chamber
maximize analyte transmission, while minimizing the
possibility of background contamination, providing the
lowest possible background signal levels. The open
architecture design makes switching to different sample
introduction devices quick and simple. The ELAN DRC II
can utilize a variety of alternate sampling devices,
including laser ablation, ultrasonic or low-flow nebu-
lization systems or even liquid- or ion-chromatography
systems for speciation analysis.

The unique single-ion lens simplifies operation with
automatic optimization and specific on-the-fly mass
settings for each element, minimizing undesirable space-
charge effects that can lead to signal and performance
loss. The ELAN DRC II has unsurpassed detection limits,
specificity and sensitivity – all requirements for the
laboratory pushing the limits of detection.

Axial Field Technology maximizes
performance for all matrices

Innovative Axial Field Technology, developed specif-
ically for ICP-MS, applies a linearly accelerating axial
field to the ions inside the Dynamic Reaction Cell. This
technology decreases matrix effects, improves stability
and increases the speed of the DRC. This makes the
ELAN DRC II the ultimate analytical tool for all applica-
tions including semiconductor, environmental, clinical
and geochemical, where unsurpassed performance in
challenging matrices is required.

4

Collisional focusing provides improved
sensitivity and precision

The ELAN DRC II offers exceptional sensitivity and sta-
bility. Using collisional focusing (Figure 1), sensitivity
can be enhanced by up to 5 times, when compared to
a standard ICP-MS.

Collisions with the reaction gas allow ions to spend more
time in the DRC, reducing short-term signal fluctuations.
This lowers plasma noise, leading to improvements in
short-term precision.

This excellent short-term precision dramatically im-
proves isotope-ratio measurements performed on the
ELAN DRC II. Relative standard deviations for isotope
ratios of less than 0.03% are routinely achievable.

Collisional Focusing

Direction of ion travel

After DRC

Before DRC

y
t
i
s
n
e
n

t

I

Ion Distribution

Figure 1. In the DRC, the ions collide with the reaction gas, causing
them to lose energy and focus their motion on axis. This allows the
ions to spend more time in the DRC, reducing short-term signal
fluctuations. This collisional energy damping reduces the energy
spread, while collisional focusing (migration of ions towards the
quadrupole axis) results in improved ion transmission and sensitivity.

DRC gets the right answer, faster

Unlike “cool plasma” and high-resolution analyses
where optimization of analytical conditions is done for
each analyte and multiple runs are required to determine
several analytes, the DRC II removes multiple interfer-
ences during the same analytical run. The ELAN DRC II
significantly improves productivity by reducing the
number of runs required. You can combine different
sets of DRC conditions for different elements in the
same analytical method along with conditions for
elements run in standard mode, providing faster,
more accurate results.

controlled, predictable chemistry

maximizes interference removal

Dynamic Bandpass Tuning

Unlike other systems that use rf-only hexapoles and
octapoles as simple ion guides, the quadrupole used in
the patented DRC technology provides both high- and
low-mass cutoffs – defining a precise mass bandpass
window. The mass bandpass window ejects all ions
with masses outside the window before they can react
inside the DRC, preventing the formation of new inter-
ferences. The bandpass window is selected via the
automated setup procedures based on the specific
chemistry that needs suppression or promotion. And,
since a specific bandpass range can be selected for
each analyte, the bandpass filter can be dynamically
tuned to best suit the analyte of interest. As a result,
species falling outside of the analytical bandpass are
completely eliminated, preventing the formation of
new species and possible interferences (Figure 2).

In contrast, competitive systems use energy filtering,
which only allows new interferences to be reduced
after they are formed. This restricts interference removal,
since the number of collisions in other systems must be
limited in order to maintain a sufficient kinetic-energy
spread between the analyte and interfering species for
the filter to be effective. And, since energy filtering is
non-selective, both interferent and analyte intensities
are reduced.

DBT optimizes chemical specificity

Differentiation between the analyte and an inter-
fering species is critical to success in ICP-MS. The
ELAN DRC II provides greater accuracy by eliminating
false positives due to interferences. The presence of an
isobaric or molecular interference can lead to an eleva-
ted signal at the analyte mass. For example, ArCl+ and
CaCl+ are two molecular species that interfere with
arsenic determinations at mass 75. In some cases, these
interferences are extremely difficult to resolve, either
because the analyte is monoisotopic (such as in the
case of arsenic) or the interference is too large.

While other cell systems can partially remove some
plasma-based interferences such as the ArCl+ interfer-
ence on 75As+, they are limited in their ability to remove

many matrix-based interferences, such as the CaO+
interference on 75As+. In contrast, the ELAN DRC II
allows the interference to be removed, whether plasma-
or matrix-based, giving you confidence that the correct
results for the analyte – and not a matrix interference –
are reported. Using the ELAN DRC II, molecular
interferences that have plagued trace-level determina-
tion of many elements by ICP-MS can be completely
eliminated. Also, the superior specificity achieved with
the ELAN DRC II through the use of Dynamic Bandpass
Tuning (DBT) means reaction by-products are eliminated,
preventing new interferences from forming. Left un-
checked in all other systems, these by-products produce
new interferences, which must be reduced by increasing
the kinetic-energy filter – leading to additional analyte
signal loss.

Method development on the ELAN DRC II using the
powerful ELAN software is now easier than ever. Use
one of our predeveloped methods and you will be up
and running quickly. For more unique applications,
automated procedures determine the best reaction-gas
flow conditions and DBT settings, making the system
easy to use. Unlike other cell instruments, where reac-
tion-gas selection must be restricted in order to reduce
formation of reaction by-products, the ELAN DRC II
allows you to use virtually any reaction gas for inter-
ference removal. The ability to use more reactive gases
including NH3, CH3F, CH4, CO2, O2 and others pro-
vides superior interference reduction and improved
detection limits in a wide variety of sample types.

Direction of ion travel

Only the analyte ions
pass through the
analyzer quadrupole.

Dynamic Bandpass Tuning
(DBT) ejects unwanted
reaction products – pre-
venting interferences with
other analytes.

Figure 2. The DRC removes the Ar2
neutral Ar and CHx

+ using methane as the reaction gas.

+ interference by converting it to

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5

proven technology

and innovative design

Not only does the ELAN DRC II include the industry’s
most effective method of eliminating interferences – it
features a wealth of proven capabilities that make it
superior to other ICP-MS systems.

• Quick-change cones – The platinum interface cones
have large diameter orifices (1.1 mm sampler and
0.9 mm skimmer) to resist clogging and signal drift.
The easy-in, easy-out design makes routine main-
tenance simple and easy.

• Patented PlasmaLok technology – Secondary

discharges between the ICP torch and the interface
cones can lead to signal drift and high background
levels. PlasmaLok® technology essentially eliminates
the possibility of secondary discharges, extending
cone life, reducing background signal levels and
stabilizing ion-energy distributions. As a result,
switching between plasma conditions and sample
matrices, including aqueous, organic and dry
aerosols, is virtually transparent, with no special
optimization required or consumable parts to replace.

• Simple, effective Shadow Stop technology – The ion
optics in the ELAN were designed specifically for
ICP-MS. Instead of bending the ion beam numerous
times using complex multi-component lens systems
to prevent uncharged species from entering the quad-
rupole, the ELAN DRC II uses a simple, grounded
Shadow Stop. The result is minimal maintenance and
the elimination of tedious ion-tuning adjustments
required by other systems as lens components and
cells become contaminated, causing resistivity
changes and requiring subsequent tuning changes.
Since it is grounded, the Shadow Stop never needs to
be optimized or cleaned to maintain its performance.

• The industry’s only single ion lens – Designed
specifically for ICP-MS, the unique SwiftMount™
single ion lens used on the ELAN systems provides
worry-free operation. Protected by the Shadow Stop,
cleaning requirements for the SwiftMount lens are
also minimized. In contrast, complex competitive

6

systems may have as many as 30 to 40 pieces in the
ion-optic system – making them time-consuming to
clean and reassemble. Unlike these competitive sys-
tems, changing the exclusive SwiftMount ion lens on
the ELAN ICP-MS is as easy as changing a light bulb.
In fact, the process takes just a few minutes. And,
since the SwiftMount lens is so economical, when it
does need to be cleaned you can simply swap the
dirty lens for a spare and clean the dirty lens while
your samples are being processed. This maximizes
system productivity – an important requirement in
high-throughput labs.

• The industry’s only scanning, single ion lens with
AutoLens™ one-touch adjustment – Not only does it
optimize itself at the click of a button, the unique
SwiftMount single ion lens optimizes automatically
for each specific mass – providing the best possible
sensitivity for each analyte, at all times. In contrast,
competitive systems must be tuned on a single mid-
mass element, compromising analyte sensitivity and
require frequent tuning as ion-lens settings change
over time.

Figure 3. The new Build Run List feature will automatically build an
exact listing of all your standards, quality-control checks and samples
before you start your automated analysis – eliminating unexpected
sample-run orders and errors.

superior productivity

and reliability

• Integrated peristaltic pump with tubing saver –
The sample introduction system uses an integrated
peristaltic pump to dramatically reduce sample-
uptake time. The tubing-saver feature ensures
optimum measurement precision and prolongs
peristaltic tube lifetimes.

• Simultaneous dual detector – The SimulScan™

dual-stage detector measures both high- and low-level
analytes simultaneously. This conserves valuable or
limited samples, eliminates the need to perform time-
consuming sample dilutions and allows you to quickly
analyze uncharacterized samples.

• Powerful ELAN software – Whether your lab performs
qualitative, semi-quantitative, quantitative or special-
ized analyses such as isotope-ratio, isotope-dilution
or even speciation analyses, the powerful ELAN
software has all the features you need.

Priority samples, flexible quality-control checks,
transient-signal handling, speciation analysis, run-
list build and customizable reporting are just a few of
the features that will make your life easier (Figure 3).
Plus, integrated maintenance videos and our new
PathFinder™ HTML-based Help will make routine
tasks even easier (Figure 4). And, if you’re in a highly
regulated environment, our Enhanced Security™
software provides all the features you need to
comply, even with 21 CFR Part 11 requirements.

• The SmartTune™ software wizard automatically sets
up all your tuning procedures, runs them in the se-
quence you select and prints out a final tuning report
based on user-selected pass/fail criteria (Figure 5).
The result is effortless operation, all day, every day.

Figure 4. PathFinder HTML-based Help will guide you step-by-step
through instrument setup, optimization, method development and
sample analysis.

Figure 5. The SmartTune optimization wizard sets up user-defined
optimization and performance-check procedures, automatically
running them while you perform other tasks – maximizing your
productivity.

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7

the power you need

for the most challenging applications

Unrivalled DRC technology has provided hundreds of
the world’s best laboratories with significant improve-
ments in their ability to perform a wide variety of
challenging applications by ICP-MS. Whether using
a single gas for maximum productivity or using spec-
ific, selected gases for unsurpassed interference removal,
the ELAN DRC II provides the performance and flexi-
bility for your needs today – and tomorrow.

Interference removal provides
superior detection capabilities

Many elements suffer from common matrix-based inter-
ferences that can degrade BECs and detection capabili-
ties. The ELAN DRC II can dramatically reduce or
eliminate these interferences, providing enhanced
analytical capabilities.

The ground-breaking DRC technology has already pro-
vided hundreds of users with significant improvements
in their ability to perform a wide variety of applications.

Breaking the ppq barrier

Fe, Ca and K are three of the most critical elements in the
manufacture of semiconductor devices. Unfortunately,
detection limits for these elements are degraded by
interferences from ArO+, Ar+ and ArH+ species. The
ELAN DRC II completely eliminates these interfering
species and others, allowing accurate determinations at
ppq levels (Table 1).

Unlocking selenium

Prior to the development of DRC technology, inter-
+ dimer severely diminished
ferences from the Ar2
the detection power of ICP-MS for selenium. Due to
this large interference, selenium had to be determined
at the less abundant 77Se and 82Se isotopes. The
ELAN DRC II unlocks selenium, allowing ppt de-
tection with an accurate isotopic signature, using
the most abundant selenium isotope 80Se (Figure 6).

8

Table 1. Typical detection limits (DLs) and background
equivalent concentrations (BECs) on ELAN DRC II.

Element

DL

BEC

Element

DL

BEC

Li (7)

Be (9)

B (11)

Na (23)

Mg (24)

Al (27)

K (39)

Ca (40)

Ti (48)

V (51)

Cr (52)

Mn (55)

Fe (56)

Ni (60)

Co (59)

Cu (63)

Zn (64)

Ga (69)

0.26

1.00

1.93

0.14

0.08

0.05

0.27

0.10

0.92

0.12

0.12

0.17

0.12

0.10

0.04

0.05

0.45

0.06

0.22

0.87

1.50

0.22

0.18

0.09

2.60

0.10

1.70

0.04

0.12

0.54

0.40

0.20

0.04

0.10

1.20

0.05

Ge (74)

As (75)

Sr (88)

Zr (90)

Mo (98)

Ag (107)

Cd (114)

In (115)

Sn (120)

Sb (121)

Ba (138)

Ta (181)

W (184)

Au (197)

Tl (205)

Pb (208)

Bi (209)

U (238)

0.58

0.48

0.03

0.05

0.11

0.09

0.08

0.03

0.12

0.08

0.06

0.06

0.07

0.15

0.02

0.07

0.02

0.02

0.57

1.60

0.02

0.04

0.12

0.10

0.11

0.02

0.08

0.08

0.04

0.05

0.07

0.05

0.01

0.09

0.01

0.01

* Unit: ppt Integration time: 1 sec. DRC mode

Note: Data obtained on the ELAN DRC II for a 1% nitric-acid matrix.
All units are in ng/L (ppt). Elements in blue were obtained in DRC-
mode using NH3 reaction gas. Elements in black were obtained in
standard mode. All data obtained in Class-100 clean room using
1-second integration times.

Figure 6. DRC allows determination of Se at mass 80. The green bars
show the theoretical isotopic abundance fingerprint for selenium.