Simplified construction of demountable ICP torches

Demountable ICP torch bases make possible the rapid and inexpensive replacement of the portions of the torch glassware which become opaque, fused closed, or broken. A description is given of two recent torch base designs: a one-piece base and a two-piece base. Both bases reduce the cost of ICP operation by allowing the easy replacement of any damaged quartz. The one-piece base is small enough to fit into a commercial system. Use of the two-piece base allows the positions of the sample and plasma tubes to be changed relative to each other and relative to the load coil during plasma operation. The one- and two-piece demountable torch bases are relatively simple to construct and allow increased flexibility in the operation of the ICP.