The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 01, 1999
Filed:
Feb. 13, 1998
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA (US);
Abstract
The apparatus for analyzing a sample gas includes a source of microwave energy directed onto the sample gas to create a plasma. A spectrometer is arranged to receive light from the plasma to identify different elements and/or to determine the concentration of at least one element in the sample gas. In one embodiment, an attached calibration system is provided for calibrating the output of the spectrometer. The calibration system includes a nebulizer apparatus for introducing a controlled amount of at least one element into the sample gas. The apparatus also includes structure adapted to add a swirl component to the plasma gas flow as an aid to plasma confinement. It is also preferred that a pair of electrodes contacting the sample gas be provided for igniting the plasma.