• Flat Plate™ plasma technology for reduced argon consumption
• PlasmaCam™ viewing camera simplifies method development and enables remote diagnostic capabilities for maximum uptime
• Advanced optical system for superior detection limits
• Patented dual viewing of the plasma for enhanced productivity
• Custom-designed solid-state CCD array detector
• Unique, shear gas system that eliminates interferences
• Adjustable, quick-change torch cassette simplifies maintenance and optimizes performance

Spectrometer specifications

• Polychromator:  The high-energy (f/6.7) echelle-based Optima polychromator utilizes two SCD detectors covering the spectral range from 163-782 nm. The measured resolution of the system is 0.006 nm at 200 nm. The 80 by 160 mm echelle grating has 79 lines per mm and a blaze angle of 63.4 degrees. The cross-disperser for the UV region is a 374 lines/mm grating, while a 60-degree fused-quartz prism is added as the cross-disperser for the visible region. The UV disperser on the Optima 8300 spectrometers incorporates Schmidt correction to eliminate aberration for the 400-mm radius camera sphere.
• Thermostatted optics: The entire optical system is enclosed in a purged and thermostatted optical enclosure. The  optical enclosure is mounted on the same large optical bench as the sample-introduction system. The optical bench is shock-mounted to the frame of the instrument so that normal floor vibrations do not affect system performance.
• Plasma viewing:  With the patented dual-view capabilities of the Optima 8300, viewing of the plasma is accomplished by computer control of a mirror located in the optical path and allows  selection of axial, radial or mixed viewing modes and adjustment of the plasma viewing in both the vertical and horizontal planes. The viewing position can be optimized by the software.
• Shutter and Hg recalibration system:   The computer-controlled, pneumatically operated shutter automatically opens and closes for each sample, protecting the first transfer mirror from long exposures to the intense UV radiation of the plasma, extending the  useful lifetime of the mirror. A mercury lamp is built into the shutter mechanism and can be viewed at a user-selected frequency to automatically update the system wavelength calibration at the 253 nm mercury emission line.
• Detectors:  Custom-designed, application-specific, patented PerkinElmer Segmented-array Charge-coupled Device (SCD) detectors consist of 235 addressable subarrays covering approximately 6000 wavelengths on a 13 by 19 mm silicon substrate. Typical readout noise is about 13 electrons RMS; dark current is less than 100 electrons/pixel/second; and readout speed is 50 µsec/pixel. Correlated double-sampling data-acquisition electronics further reduce electronic noise.

ICP system specifications

• RF generator:  The Optima 8300 features a fourth-generation 40 MHz, free-running solid-state RF generator, adjustable from 750 to 1500 watts, in 1 watt increments. The power efficiency is greater than 81% with < 0.1% variation in output power stability. True Power Control maintains the plasma power at the set point, even when changing sample matrices. The compact RF supply meets all FCC certification requirements for RF emission (Part 18 of FCC rules and regulations) and complies with EC and VDE 0871 Class B requirements.
• Ignition and power control:  Plasma ignition  is computer-controlled and totally automated. The software allows the plasma to be ignited automatically at a user-determined time and turned off automatically after an analysis.
• Safety interlocks:  For user safety and system protection, the system constantly monitors water flow, shear gas pressure, argon pressures, sample-compartment door closure and plasma stability, and displays the interlock status on the computer screen as graphic symbols. If an interlock is interrupted, the plasma will immediately and safely shut down.
• Cooling water:  A water-recirculating cooling system is required, with approximately 4 L/min flow capacity at 310 to 550 kPa and a temperature between 15 °C and 25 °C.

Gas flow controls

• Argon flow:  Computer-controlled solenoid valves are used to regulate the flow automatically within the range of  0-20 L/min in 1 L/min increments for plasma argon and 0 to 2.0 L/min in 0.1 L/min increments for auxiliary argon. A mass-flow controller is supplied with all systems for the nebulizer argon flow and is  variable between 0 and 2.0 L/min in 0.01 L/min increments.
• Shear gas:  A compressed-air shear gas (18-25 L/min) is used to remove the plasma tail from the optical path, minimizing interferences and extending the dynamic range. The shear gas design offers a maintenance-free and lower-cost approach to removing the cooler plasma zone.

Sample introduction system

• Torch/torch mount:  A unique demountable torch design using one-piece quartz tubing for plasma and auxiliary gas flow is supplied. The standard torch includes a 2.0-mm i.d. alumina injector for full corrosion resistance to all acids, including hydrofluoric and aqua regia. A variety of other injectors is available. The externally mounted spray chamber is integrated into an easily removed sample-introduction cassette in an enclosed compartment. The sample-introduction cassette can be adjusted (with the plasma on) for maximum performance in different matrices. No tools are required for torch or sample-introduction cassette removal.
• Spray chambers:  Instruments can be ordered with a Ryton® HF-resistant Scott-type or a glass cyclonic spray chamber. An optional spray-chamber compartment thermostat is available for laboratories with minimal air conditioning.
• Nebulizers:  The Optima 8300 can be ordered with a cross-flow or glass concentric nebulizer. The cross-flow design with GemTips™ is corrosion-resistant (sapphire/ruby tips in a PEEK body). The system can routinely handle 50% (v/v) solutions of HCl, HNO3, H2SO4, H3PO4, 20% (v/v) HF and 30% (w/v) NaOH. Additional nebulizers are available. A model of the Optima 8300 is available with eNeb™ sample introduction, which provides highly efficient and consistent sample transport, resulting in a 2-4x improvement in detection limits.
• Peristaltic pump:  The integrated three-channel, computer-controlled pump has speeds variable from 0.2 to 5 mL/min in 0.1 mL/min increments using 0.76 mm (0.030 in.) i.d. tubing. Software features, including FastPump™ and SmartRinse™, dramatically improve sample rinse-out and analysis time.
• Spares kit:  A spares kit of common replacement items is included.

Physical data – instrument

• Power:  One 200-254 VAC, 20A line (12A draw at 230V), single-phase, 50/60 Hz (±1%)
• Dimensions:  150 x 76 x 80 cm (W x H x D), 181.5 kg
• Environmental:  The instrument will operate with a laboratory temperature between 15 and 35 °C (59-95 °F). For optimum instrument performance, the room temperature should be controlled at 20 ±2 °C.