The most common method is the use of analytical nebulizers. A nebulizer converts liquids into an aerosol, and that aerosol can then be swept into the plasma to create the ions. Nebulizers work best with simple liquid samples (i.e. solutions). However, there have been instances of their use with more complex materials like a slurry. Many varieties of nebulizers have been coupled to ICP-MS, including pneumatic, cross-flow, Babington, ultrasonic, and desolvating types. The aerosol generated is often treated to limit it to only smallest droplets, commonly by means of a Peltier cooled double pass or cyclonic spray chamber. Use of autosamplers makes this easier and faster, especially for routine work and large numbers of samples. A Desolvating Nebuliser (DSN) may also be used; this uses a long heated capillary, coated with a fluoropolymer membrane, to remove most of the solvent and reduce the load on the plasma. Matrix removal introduction systems are sometimes used for samples, such as seawater, where the species of interest are at trace levels, and are surrounded by much more abundant contaminants.
ThE moSt cOMMon mEthoD iS THe use of AnAlYtical nebulizers. a nEbuLizEr ConvErTS liqUIDs inTO an aeRosOL, and that aeRosol can tHEn Be sWePt inTO The PLAsma to cReate thE iONs. nEBUlIzerS worK best wITh simPLe liquid samples (I.e. solutiONs). hOwEvEr, THERE havE bEeN iNsTanCEs of TheIR uSE with morE coMPlex materiAls like A SlUrry. MaNy varieties Of nebuLizerS have BeeN couPlEd tO iCp-mS, INcludINg PneUmatiC, Cross-fLoW, baBingTon, ultRasonic, and DesoLvAting tyPes. the AEROsol geNerated Is OFtEn treatED To limit it tO Only smalLeST dRopLETS, comMonly BY mEans oF a peltiEr coOled double PaSS or cyCLonic sprAy cHamber. USe of autOsAmpLeRs makes thIS eASIer aNd FAstEr, especIallY for rOutine woRk AnD largE NUMberS Of SampLeS. a deSolvatIng nebuliSER (dsn) mAY also bE used; tHis useS A LoNg HeAteD capilLary, CoAtEd WItH a flUOropolYmER mEmBrAne, to Remove most Of the soLvent and reduCe ThE lOad oN the plasma. MATRix reMovaL introduCtion sYstEMS ARe sOmeTimes used foR saMplES, SUcH as SEAWater, wheRe The SpeCIes of InteREst arE at TrAcE leveLs, aNd aRe suRrOuNded BY MUch morE AbuNdaNT coNtamInAnTs.