Books
Plasma Sources for MS Optically measuring thermal phenomena
Inductively Coupled and Microwave Induced Plasma Sources for Mass Spectrometry E. Hywel Evans, Jeffrey J. Giglio, Theresa M. Castillano, and Joseph A. Caruso Royal Society of Chemistry Blackhorse Road, Letchworth Herts SG6 1HN, United Kingdom 1995, 108 pp., £32.50
Evans and his colleagues have developed a very readable, concise monograph on ICP and MIP sources for MS. This book reads in a uniform voice—a feature that is frequently absent in collaborative efforts of several authors. By and large, the goal presented in the preface, of "being a useful source of information for those seeking to interface chromatographic and other sample introduction techniques with plasmas," is well met. Excellent overviews of atmosphericpressure and reduced-pressure ICPs and MIPs are presented; a balanced treatment is given of the theoretical and practical aspects of using argon, helium, nitrogen, and other plasmas. This book, of course, is not intended to present a large body of hitherto unreported findings; nearly all the information is in the original literature. The topics are arranged logically, and each section presents a fair amount of rationale for the reader to consider the device discussed as being a better mousetrap. Although the treatment repeats ideas presented elsewhere, a particularly note486 A
worthy discussion is provided on the gas dynamics of ion-sampling interfaces commonly used in the field. This short section does a great job of briefing the applications-oriented user of ICPMS on the subtleties and complexities of what is taking place at the ion-sampling interface. One of the book's strengths is the inclusion of numerous figures that depict actual construction of torch and interface devices; the detail in these figures is certainly adequate for the interested scientist to fabricate similar devices in-house. Although the authors' contributions to this research area are noteworthy, one is left with the impression that the book is mainly a review of the accomplishments of the authors and collaborators. The refPhotothermal Spectroscopy erences could be viewed as a bit self-serv- Methods for Chemical ing. References from other sources would Analysis lend better balance to the approaches and Stephen E. Bialkowski applications attempted to date. Also, the John Wiley & Sons book ends abruptly without a comparative 605 Third Ave. summary. It illustrates that many tools New York, NY 10158 exist but gives no overview of which is 1996, 584 pp., $89.95 best for a specific purpose. Although the figures are legible, improvements could This book is a unique guide to the applicahave been made in their print quality. tion and theory of optical measurement of laser light-induced photothermal phenomI believe that this book will be a great ena in homogeneous media. It provides source for applications-oriented plasma well-arranged and summarized informaspectrochemists who are presently using tion on the mathematical basis, methodolICP-AES and/or ICPMS and are contemogies, and reported applications of the plating the benefits of using unconvenvarious types of photothermal methods, tional plasmas for special situations such with an emphasis on thermal lensing meaas GC detection and the determination of surement of gases and liquids. The book nonmetals. The book can also serve as a covers theoretical treatments through tutorial for a general audience of atomic 1992 and analytical applications as recent spectroscopists and a broad spectrum of analytical chemists. One could easily envi- as 1994; work of the 1960s and early 1970s is not covered. sion its inclusion in reading lists for graduate-level courses in analytical spectrosThis book is useful for all researchers copy or chromatography. In short, Evans, who are optically measuring laser-induced Giglio, Castillano, and Caruso have done a heat, especially those who apply it to fine job of presenting what is out there trace-level chemical species. It should be besides the well-known argon ICP. read by analytical and physical chemists Reviewed by Michael E. Ketterer, John who think that the various photothermal measurements are indistinguishable and Carroll University, Cleveland, OH
Analytical Chemistry News & Features, August 1, 1996
