Solving the plasma analyte interaction problem: Toward a fundamental advancement in plasma-assisted microanalysis and materials characterization

• Applicants: Igor B. Gornushkin, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Kay Niemax
• Subject Area: Analytical Chemistry
• Term: from 2008 to 2013
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 84928249

Plasmas form the central component of many of today’s leading analytical methods for microanalysis and materials characterization. In all of these methods, the plasma-analyte interactions are directly related to the ultimate analyte response, although the exact nature of these interactions is complex and for the most part not well understood and limit the method precision and accuracy. At the core of these issues remains the physics of analyte vaporization, dissociation and ionization, as well as heat and mass transport processes, and relevant emission processes for optical based schemes. The research team has recognized that the overall plasma-analyte interaction problem is genuinely cross-cutting over key sectors of the analytical community, and in response has formulated an integrated plan toward a comprehensive solution. The proposed research seeks to combine fundamental plasma-analyte measurements and standards development with a theoretical framework & comprehensive modeling effort to bring about a paradigm change in the accuracy of plasma-based and plasma-assisted analytical methods that is necessary to support, for example, larger research efforts in microanalysis, the nanosciences, novel materials development, and the biosciences.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: USA
• Participating Persons: Dr. Carmen Cecilia Garcia Perez; Professor Dr. David Hahn; Professor Dr. Nicolo Omenetto; Professor Dr. Ulrich Panne