Atmospheric purge system and method for laser ablation sample processing - Patents.com

Abstract

Systems and methods are described for controlling the flow of purge gas introduced into an ablation cell between samples to remove atmospheric gases. An embodiment of the system includes a spray chamber including a spray chamber body, a transfer gas inlet configured to receive gas from a laser ablation sample cell, a first exit line configured to transfer gas from the spray chamber to an induction coupled plasma torch, a second exit line coupled to the spray chamber body and having an internal cross-sectional area greater than an internal cross-sectional area of ​​the first exit line, and a valve fluidly coupled to the second exit line, the valve configured to transition between at least an open configuration configured to allow transfer of gas through the second exit line and a closed configuration configured to inhibit transfer of gas through the second exit line.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] (Related Applications) This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 319,840, entitled “ATMOSPHERIC PURGE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LASER ABLATION SAMPLE PROCESSING,” filed on March 15, 2022. U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 319,840 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [Background technology]

[0002] Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) and Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (LA-ICP-OES) techniques can be used to analyze the composition of a target, such as a solid or liquid target material. Often, a sample of the target is provided to the analytical system in the form of an aerosol (i.e., a suspension of solid and sometimes liquid particles and / or vapor in a carrier gas, such as helium gas). The sample is typically generated by placing the target in a laser ablation chamber, introducing a flow of carrier gas into the chamber, and ablating a portion of the target with one or more laser pulses, generating a plume containing particles ejected from the target suspended in the carrier gas and / or vapor expelled or otherwise generated from the target. The target material, entrained in the flowing carrier gas, is transported through a transport conduit to the analytical system and ionized with an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) torch.

[0003] The plasma containing the ionized particles and / or vapors is analyzed by analytical systems such as mass spectrometry (MS), optical emission spectrometry (OES), isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS), or electrospray ionization (ESI) systems. For example, ICP spectrometry is a commonly used analytical technique for measuring trace element concentrations and isotope ratios in liquid samples. ICP spectrometry employs an electromagnetically generated partially ionized argon plasma that reaches temperatures of approximately 7000 K. When a sample is introduced into the plasma, the high temperature causes the sample atoms to ionize or emit light. Each chemical element produces a characteristic mass or emission spectrum, so by measuring the spectrum of the emitted mass or light, the elemental composition of the original sample can be determined. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A system and method are described for controlling the flow of purge gas introduced into an ablation cell between samples to remove atmospheric gases utilizing a mixing cell with two outputs, one maintaining a constant inner diameter over time and the other using a valve to control the output flow rate, without extinguishing a plasma used by an inductively coupled plasma analysis system to measure analytes in the samples. An embodiment of the system includes, but is not limited to, a spray chamber including a spray chamber body, a transfer gas inlet coupled to the spray chamber body and configured to receive gas from a laser ablation sample cell, a first outlet line coupled to the spray chamber body and configured to transfer gas from the spray chamber to an inductively coupled plasma torch, a second outlet line coupled to the spray chamber body, the second gas outlet having an internal cross-sectional area greater than the internal cross-sectional area of ​​the first outlet line, and a valve fluidly coupled to the second outlet line, the valve configured to transition between at least an open configuration configured to allow transfer of gas through the second outlet line and a closed configuration configured to inhibit transfer of gas through the second outlet line.

[0005] An embodiment of the system includes, but is not limited to, an inductively coupled plasma torch configured to ionize at least a portion of a gas from a laser ablation sample cell; a spray chamber fluidly coupled to the inductively coupled plasma torch, the spray chamber including a spray chamber body; a transfer gas inlet coupled to the spray chamber body and configured to receive gas from the laser ablation sample cell; a first exit line coupled to the spray chamber body and configured to transfer gas from the spray chamber to the inductively coupled plasma torch; and a second exit line coupled to the spray chamber body, the second gas outlet having an internal cross-sectional area greater than an internal cross-sectional area of ​​the first exit line; and a valve fluidly coupled to the second exit line, the valve configured to transition between at least an open configuration configured to allow transfer of gas through the second exit line and a closed configuration configured to inhibit transfer of gas through the second exit line, the difference in the respective internal cross-sectional areas of the first and second exit lines configured to allow transfer of a majority of the transfer gas through the second exit line when the valve is in the open configuration to inhibit extinction of plasma in the inductively coupled plasma torch.

[0006] Embodiments of the method include, but are not limited to, transferring gas from the laser ablation sample cell to the induction coupled plasma torch via a transfer line having an inner diameter that is unobstructed over the time between individual samples taken by the laser ablation sample cell, and inhibiting the transfer of gas from the laser ablation sample cell to the induction coupled plasma torch via operation of a valve fluidly coupled between the laser ablation sample cell and the induction coupled plasma torch.

[0007] This Summary is intended to introduce some concepts in a simplified form that are described later in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0008] The detailed description will now be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system for controlling the flow of purge gas introduced into an ablation cell between samples, according to an implementation of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a mixing chamber and valves configured to maintain a constant inner diameter of a gas transfer line coupled between a laser ablation system and an analytical system, according to an implementation of the present disclosure. [Figure 3A] Side view of the mixing chamber of FIG. [Figure 3B] Top view of the mixing chamber of Figure 2 [Figure 4A] Schematic of the mixing chamber and valves of FIG. 2 in a sample transfer configuration. [Figure 4B] Schematic of the mixing chamber and valves of FIG. 2 in a purged configuration. [Diagram 5] Cross-section of the valve in Figure 2 [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a mixing chamber and valves configured to maintain a constant inner diameter of a gas transfer line coupled between a laser ablation system and an analytical system, according to an implementation of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 1 is a graph of the laser ablation cell pressure for multiple samples for a system employing the mixing chamber and valve configuration described herein and a laser ablation system utilizing a pinch valve to isolate the ICP torch from atmospheric gases introduced into the laser ablation cell between samples. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Laser ablation is a sampling method in which a focused beam of pulsed laser light is used in a laser ablation cell to convert a portion of a solid or liquid sample from a target into the aerosol phase, which is then transported in a gas stream to an analyzer such as an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICPMS). Multiple laser pulses may be used to ablate different areas of the sample to generate sufficient signal to ensure a representative sample is collected for analysis.

[0011] Laser ablation systems can facilitate automated handling of multiple samples in a single laser ablation cell by utilizing automated sample loading techniques. For example, the laser ablation system can include a sample loading system (e.g., a sample carousel) for housing multiple samples and sequentially introducing the samples into the laser ablation cell to generate individual ablation samples. For example, the sample carousel can rotate to bring a given sample into close proximity below the laser ablation cell. A piston located below the carousel can lift the sample vertically relative to the laser ablation cell and hold the sample in place during laser ablation sampling. After transfer of the ablated target material from the laser ablation cell to an analytical device, the piston can lower the sample and the carousel brings the next sample into close proximity below the laser ablation cell. Atmospheric gases can flow into the open laser ablation cell during sample exchange, for example, if the lowering of the piston exposes the bottom of the laser ablation cell to the atmosphere or if there is entrained atmospheric gas in the laser ablation system. If atmospheric gases are sent to the analyzer, the ICP torch plasma may be extinguished, resulting in ICP analyzer downtime while the ICP torch is subsequently re-ignited and re-calibrated or stabilization techniques are performed, resulting in reduced sample throughput and increased operating costs for the ICP analyzer (e.g., through increased nebulizer gas usage, power requirements, etc.).

[0012] One option to prevent atmospheric gases from entering the ICP torch is to utilize a pinch valve to selectively choose the path that gases from the laser ablation cell take. For example, the transfer line from the laser ablation cell can be split into two gas tubes made of soft / flexible material and enter the pinch valve. The first gas line connects the laser ablation cell to the ICP torch, and the second gas line connects the laser ablation cell to a purge location (vent, waste, etc.). When switching between samples, the pinch valve compresses the flexible tubing to close the first gas line and prevent atmospheric gases from reaching the ICP torch, while the second gas line remains open to purge atmospheric gases. During sampling, the pinch valve opens the first gas line and closes the second gas line by compressing the flexible tubing, preventing sample gases from being purged while allowing the sample to pass through the first gas line to the ICP torch.

[0013] However, pinch valves introduce many drawbacks to the operation of laser ablation systems because they frequently change the inner diameter of the tubing passing between the laser ablation cell and the ICP analyzer. For example, the pinch valves may be unstable during opening and closing due to sticking of the flexible tubing (e.g., the inner walls of the tubing stick to each other) or deformation of the flexible tubing over time (e.g., the flexible tubing material becomes hard). Tube sticking and other tube deformations may increase over time due to mechanical failure or aging of the tubes. In addition, the tubes are prone to clogging and sample or air particulates may accumulate at the pinch site, affecting the consistency of sample analysis by the ICP analyzer, necessitating frequent tube maintenance or replacement, and may lead to reprocessing of samples and associated time loss after tube maintenance, often only noticed after the sample procedure is recognized as having failed. Mechanical problems with such pinch valves can cause problems such as fluctuations in the cell pressure of the laser ablation cell during sample processing and fluctuations in the sensitivity of the ICP analyzer to measure analytes in the sample gas transferred from the laser ablation cell.

[0014] Thus, in one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a system and method for controlling the flow of purge gas introduced into an ablation cell between samples (e.g., samples introduced sequentially into a laser ablation cell via a carousel loading system, etc.) to remove atmospheric gases without extinguishing a plasma used by an inductively coupled plasma analysis system to measure analytes in the samples utilizing a mixing cell with two outputs. The first output maintains an unobstructed internal flow path (e.g., an internal cross section that does not change significantly over time), and the second output utilizes a valve to control the output flow rate. The first output line couples the mixing cell to an ICP torch and remains unobstructed over time (e.g., constant inner diameter over time, no pinches, no valves, no flow path deviations, etc.), providing a conduit through which sample gas can reach an ICP analyzer. The second output line has a significantly larger opening than the first output line and couples the mixing cell to a purge location via a valve that can be opened or closed to allow or prevent gas from being purged from the mixing cell.

[0015] When the valve is open, the large opening has an open flow path and most of the inlet flow to the mixing chamber is directed out the purge path due to resistance from the small opening in the other direction towards the ICP torch (e.g., due to back pressure in the tubing). When the large opening has a closed flow path (e.g., because the valve is closed), the inlet flow to the mixing chamber is all directed to the ICP. This allows purge gas to be added to the ablation cell and the entire path to the mixing cell to be purged without requiring physical clamps or restrictions in the system. In an example implementation, the valve includes an internal flow path through the valve that has an inner diameter that matches the inner diameter of the second output line of the mixing chamber to prevent material accumulation in the valve. In an example implementation, the internal flow path has a consistent inner diameter between the input port for the valve and a flow selector in the valve that transitions the flow path between open and closed configurations. The systems and methods described herein provide a substantially constant cell pressure for laser ablation samples from sample to sample, avoiding the inconsistencies in cell pressure that can result from the use of pinch valves.

[0016] (Implementation example) 1-7, a system 100 is shown for controlling the flow of purge gas introduced into a laser ablation cell between samples to remove atmospheric gases without extinguishing the plasma used by an inductively coupled plasma analytical system, according to an implementation of the present disclosure. The system 100 generally includes a laser ablation system 102 in fluid communication with each of a mixing chamber 104 and an analysis system 106. The laser ablation system 102 includes a laser ablation cell that holds the sample while a focused beam of pulsed laser light converts a portion of the sample into an aerosol phase that is transported in a gas flow to the mixing chamber 104. The mixing chamber 104 can introduce one or more additional gas flows for mixing with the sample gas flow, and the laser ablation system 102 can be fluidly coupled to an analysis system 106, which in an embodiment is an inductively coupled plasma analytical system, such as an ICP-MS system, used to measure one or more analytes in the sample gas flow. The mixing chamber 104 also fluidly couples the laser ablation system 102 to a purge location (e.g., vent, waste, etc.) to purge atmospheric gases present in the ablation chamber that are introduced during switching from one sample to the next in the laser ablation cell to prevent the purge gas from quenching the ICP plasma.

[0017] The mixing chamber 104 includes a mixing chamber body 200 having a first outlet line 202 and a second outlet line 204, as shown in Figures 2-4B. The first outlet line 202 is configured to fluidly couple the mixing chamber 104 to an ICP torch 400 of the analysis system 106 for transporting sample gas from the laser ablation system 102 to the analysis system 106. The second outlet line 204 is directly or indirectly coupled to a valve 206 via an intervening tube, the valve 206 being configured to transition between at least an open configuration (e.g., as shown in Figures 2 and 4B) that fluidly couples the mixing chamber 104 to the purge location 208 and a closed configuration (e.g., as shown in Figure 4A) that prevents the flow of gas through the second outlet line 204. For example, the valve 206 can fluidly couple the second outlet line 204 to a clogged or otherwise blocked valve port in the closed configuration to prevent fluid flow through the valve 206.

[0018] Although the valve 206 is shown coupled to the bottom of the mixing chamber body 200 with the second outlet line 204 substantially entirely within the valve 206, the system 100 is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the second outlet line 204 may be a long tube to move the mixing chamber body 200 substantially away from the valve 206 and may have a particle trap or filter coupled between the valve 206 and the mixing chamber 104 to remove particles entrained in the purge gas. In an embodiment, one or more of the fluid lines in the system 100 include grounded fluoroplastic tubing. For example, one or more of the first outlet line 202 and the second outlet line 204 may be formed from grounded fluoroplastic tubing with a carbon filament to ground the line.

[0019] The first exit line 202 generally has a smaller internal cross-sectional area for gas flow therethrough than the second exit line 204. For example, the second exit line 204 can have an internal diameter that is about 4 to 20 times larger than the internal diameter of the first exit line 202. The first exit line 202 or portions downstream from the first exit line 202 (e.g., torch injector, transfer tube, etc.) can transition from one cross-sectional area to another (e.g., transitioning to a smaller cross-sectional area when entering a TCP torch injector), but the cross-section of the first exit line 202 and downstream lines does not change over time, whereas a pinch valve intentionally changes cross-section to impede or otherwise inhibit the flow of fluid therethrough. The smaller internal cross-sectional area for the first exit line 202 provides a flow resistance for the gas entering the mixing chamber 102, causing most, all, or substantially all of the gas entering the mixing chamber 102 to flow through the second exit line 204 when the valve 206 is in an open configuration (e.g., during a purge cycle of the laser ablation system 102). For example, back pressure caused by a reduction in the inner diameter of the first exit line 202 compared to the second exit line 204 can direct the gas entering the mixing chamber into the second exit line 204 for transport to the purge location 208. In an example, for a second exit line 204 having an inner diameter 5.25 times larger than the inner diameter of the first exit line 202 (e.g., when the inner diameter of the first exit line 202 is 1.6 mm and the inner diameter of the second exit line 204 is 8.4 mm), the back pressure will be approximately 27 times higher entering the first exit line 202 compared to the second exit line 204. The backpressure differential can also be introduced or adjusted based on the length of the first outlet line 202, with longer tubing generally resulting in a higher backpressure based on the inner diameter difference between the first outlet line 202 and the second outlet line 204.

[0020] The mixing chamber 104 is shown including a transfer gas inlet port 210 for receiving gas transferred from the laser ablation cell of the laser ablation system 102, which may include a sample gas, a purge gas, or other gas depending on the operation of the laser ablation system 102. The mixing chamber 104 also includes one or more ports for introducing a fluid for mixing with the gas received via the transfer gas inlet port 210. For example, the mixing chamber 104 is shown with a mixing port 212 for introducing a nebulizer gas (e.g., Ar) for mixing with the sample gas in the mixing chamber body 200, which may improve signal smoothing and stability during analysis by the analysis system 106. Alternatively or additionally, the mixing chamber 104 may include a gas addition port 214 (e.g., located in an upper vertical portion 216 of the mixing chamber body 200) having an introduction area coupled to the first outlet line 202 to introduce a gas that aids in sample matrix reduction for samples transferred to the analysis system 106 where large matrix particles may steal the plasma of the TCP torch. For example, gas introduced into gas addition port 214 can cause large matrix particles to impinge against vertical portion 216 for return to mixing chamber body 200, preventing the large matrix particles from reaching an ICP torch of analysis system 106. As an example, gas addition port 214 can direct gas into first exit line 202 in a cross-flow orientation (e.g., perpendicular, substantially perpendicular, or otherwise offset) relative to the flow of fluid traveling through first exit line 202, for large matrix particles to impinge against vertical portion 216 for return to mixing chamber body 200.

[0021] 4A during a sampling operation of the laser ablation system 102, with the valve 206 in a closed configuration to prevent gas flow through the second exit line 204. During the sampling operation, transfer gas from the ablation cell of the laser ablation system 102 enters the mixing chamber 104 via the transfer gas inlet port 210 and is directed through the mixing chamber body 200 to the first exit line 202, which transfers the transfer gas to the ICP torch of the analysis system 106. Nebulizer gas is introduced into the mixing chamber 104 via the mixing port 212 and can exit through the first exit line 202 after mixing the nebulizer gas and the transfer gas in the mixing chamber body 200. The system 100 can maintain the sampling operation configuration while producing an ablated sample and while the sample cell remains closed to the atmosphere. Because the sample cell is closed to the atmosphere, atmospheric gases cannot enter the mixing chamber 104 and therefore cannot quench the plasma generated by the ICP torch 400 .

[0022] When the system 100 is ready to transition to a new sample and thereby open the sample cell to the atmosphere (e.g., when another sample loaded into the sample carousel is ready to be processed by the laser ablation system 102), the system 100 can transition to a purge configuration, an example of which is shown in FIG. 4B with the valve 206 in an open configuration. During the purge configuration, purge gas (which may include atmospheric gas) from the ablation cell of the laser ablation system 102 enters the mixing chamber 104 via the transfer gas inlet port 210 and is directed through the mixing chamber body 200 to the second outlet line 204. While the inner diameter of the first outlet line 202 does not change and is open to flow (e.g., no pinch valve or other valves are present, no change in cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path from the mixing chamber 104 to the ICP torch 400 over time, etc.), the small inner diameter provides a flow resistance to the purge gas, which preferentially migrates to the second outlet line 204, through the valve 206, and to the purge location 208. In an embodiment, the purge station 208 includes a particle trap or filter to remove particles entrained in the purge gas. Alternatively or additionally, a particle trap or filter can be present upstream of the valve 206, such as coupled between the mixing chamber 104 and the valve 206 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 6).

[0023] 5, an embodiment of a valve 206 is shown. In an embodiment, the valve 206 includes an internal flow passage 500 through the valve 206 having an inner diameter that matches the inner diameter (e.g., shown as 502) of the second output line 204 of the mixing chamber 104 to prevent material from accumulating within the valve. In an embodiment, the internal flow passage 500 has a constant inner diameter between an input port of the valve 502 and a flow selector 504 within the valve 206 that transitions the flow passage between an open configuration and a closed configuration. For example, the flow selector 504 can define one or more flow passages 506 for selectively fluidly coupling two ports of the valve 206, such as through rotation of the flow selector 504 relative to a valve body 508 that defines the ports. The constant inner diameter of the internal flow passage 500 can aid in the smooth transition of the purge gas and any particulates contained therein, without providing pinch sites, structural overlaps, or other structures that could provide a place for particulates to accumulate and pose a risk of introducing particulates back into the mixing chamber 104 and into the first outlet line 202 for transfer to the analysis system 106.

[0024] System 100 can include a controller that automatically controls the operation of various aspects of system 100. In an embodiment, system 100 includes a computer controller that coordinates the operation of valve 206 based on the state of laser ablation system 102. For example, the controller can ensure that valve 206 is in a closed configuration to prevent the flow of gas through second outlet line 204 when laser ablation system 102 is undergoing a sampling procedure, and can ensure that valve 206 is in an open configuration to prevent the flow of gas (e.g., by flow resistance) through first outlet line 202 when laser ablation system 102 is undergoing a purging procedure.

[0025] 6, an embodiment of the system 100 is shown with the valve 206 fluidly coupled to the mixing chamber 104 via an extension 600 coupled to the second outlet line 204, and the ICP torch 400 coupled to the first outlet line 202 via a deceleration line 602. The system 100 may be configured to prepare a sample for analysis by an ICPOES system, where the mixing chamber 104, deceleration line 602, and ICP torch 400 are provided in a vertical configuration (e.g., vertical stack) to provide a vertical flow path for the aerosolized sample to travel from the mixing chamber 104 to the ICP torch 400. The vertical flow path may introduce less back pressure into the system 100 than if the first outlet line 202 includes one or more bends in the flow path (e.g., an example of which is shown in FIG. 4A).

[0026] When the valve 206 is in an open configuration to provide the system 100 in a purge configuration, the pressure difference between the first outlet line 202 and the second outlet line 204 can promote preferential transfer of purge gas through the second outlet line 204 rather than the first outlet line 202. If the back pressure of the first outlet line 202 is not sufficient, the preferential transfer of purge gas through the second outlet line 204 can be reduced. In an embodiment, the deceleration line 602 introduces additional back pressure into the first outlet line 202 having a vertical flow path. For example, the deceleration line 602 can have a decreasing internal cross-section to reduce the internal area through which fluid can flow. For example, the deceleration line 602 can narrow from a first inner diameter where the deceleration line 602 couples to the first outlet line 202 of the mixing chamber 104 to a second inner diameter where the deceleration line 602 couples to the TCP torch 400. In an embodiment, the inner diameter of the flow path toward ICP torch 400 expands downstream of deceleration line 602 (eg, between deceleration line 602 and ICP torch 400, within ICP torch 400, etc.).

[0027] In an embodiment, the first inner diameter of the deceleration line 602 may be about 0.2 inches and the second inner diameter of the deceleration line 602 may be about 0.025 inches, where the deceleration line 602 is about 0.5 inches long to transition between the first and second inner diameters. In an embodiment, the flow path downstream from the deceleration line 602 expands to about 0.08 inches. However, the system 100 is not limited to such dimensions and can include deceleration lines 602 having larger or smaller internal dimensions, and / or larger or smaller lengths, and / or can include an extension downstream from the deceleration line 602 having larger or smaller internal dimensions, depending on the desired flow rate through the system, the desired pressure differential between the first outlet line 202 and the second outlet line 204, the desired back pressure value of the first outlet line 202, etc., without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Although the deceleration line 602 is shown coupled between the ICP torch 400 and the first exit line 202 of the mixing chamber 104, it will be understood that the first exit line 202 can be constructed to integrate the deceleration line 602 within the first exit line 202.

[0028] (Experiment example: cell pressure) In an embodiment, system 100 was utilized to measure the pressure of the ablation sample cell of laser ablation system 102 for multiple samples as compared to a system utilizing a pinch valve to direct the flow of purge gas from the ablation sample cell. Referring to Figure 7, the cell pressure of system 100 and the cell pressure of the pinch valve system are shown for hundreds of samples, and the pinch valve system showed significantly greater deviation and lack of consistency in cell pressure over time, especially when compared to the cell pressure of system 100.

[0029] (Conclusion) Although the present subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and / or process operations, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. 1. A system for controlling a flow of gas from a laser ablation cell, comprising: an inductively coupled plasma torch configured to ionize at least a portion of the gas from the laser ablation sample cell; a spray chamber fluidly coupled to the induction coupled plasma torch, A spray chamber body; a transfer gas inlet coupled to the spray chamber body and configured to receive gas from the laser ablation sample cell; a first outlet line coupled to the spray chamber body and configured to transfer gas from the spray chamber to the induction coupled plasma torch; a second outlet line coupled to the spray chamber body, the second gas outlet having an internal cross-sectional area greater than an internal cross-sectional area of ​​the first outlet line; a valve fluidly coupled to the second outlet line; the valve is configured to transition between at least an open configuration configured to allow transfer of gas through the second outlet line and a closed configuration configured to inhibit transfer of gas through the second outlet line; A system, wherein a difference in the respective internal cross-sectional areas of the first and second outlet lines is configured to allow transfer of a majority of the transfer gas through the second outlet line when the valve is in the open configuration to inhibit extinction of plasma in the induction coupled plasma torch.

2. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first exit line provides an unobstructed internal flow path for a transfer gas to flow from the spray chamber to the induction coupled plasma torch.

3. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the valve defines an internal flow passage having an inner diameter that matches an inner diameter of a second output line of a mixing chamber to inhibit accumulation of material within the valve when the valve is in the open configuration.

4. the spray chamber further includes a mixing port fluidly coupled to the chamber body; The system of claim 1 , wherein the mixing port is configured to receive a nebulizer gas to introduce a transfer gas into the chamber body.

5. the spray chamber further includes a gas addition port fluidly coupled to the first outlet line; The system of claim 1 , wherein the gas addition port is configured to receive a gas configured to impinge on at least a portion of matrix particles present in a transport gas in the first outlet line.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the gas addition port is in a cross-flow orientation with respect to the first outlet line.

7. a deceleration line coupled to the first outlet line downstream from the first outlet line; The system of claim 1 , wherein the deceleration line defines an internal cross-sectional area that decreases in a downstream direction from the first exit line toward the induction coupled plasma torch.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein a flow path downstream from the deceleration line includes an interior cross-sectional area that expands to a magnitude greater than a minimum dimension of the interior cross-sectional area of ​​the deceleration line.

9. the induction coupled plasma torch is fluidly coupled to the reduction line; The system of claim 7 , wherein a flow path through the induction coupled plasma torch includes an internal cross-sectional area that is greater than a minimum dimension of an internal cross-sectional area of ​​the deceleration line.

10. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the spray chamber, the first exit line, and the induction coupled plasma torch are arranged in a vertical configuration.

11. 1. A system for controlling a flow of gas from a laser ablation cell, comprising: A spray chamber body; a transfer gas inlet coupled to the spray chamber body and configured to receive gas from a laser ablation sample cell; a first outlet line coupled to the spray chamber body and configured to transfer gas from the spray chamber to an induction coupled plasma torch; a second outlet line coupled to the spray chamber body, the second gas outlet having an internal cross-sectional area greater than an internal cross-sectional area of ​​the first outlet line; a valve fluidly coupled to the second outlet line; the valve is configured to transition between at least an open configuration configured to allow transfer of gas through the second outlet line and a closed configuration configured to inhibit transfer of gas through the second outlet line; A system, wherein a difference in the respective internal cross-sectional areas of the first and second outlet lines is configured to allow transfer of a majority of the transfer gas through the second outlet line when the valve is in the open configuration to inhibit extinction of plasma in the induction coupled plasma torch.

12. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the first exit line provides an unobstructed internal flow path for a transfer gas to flow from the spray chamber to the induction coupled plasma torch.

13. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the valve defines an internal flow passage having an inner diameter that matches an inner diameter of a second output line of a mixing chamber to inhibit accumulation of material within the valve when the valve is in the open configuration.

14. the spray chamber further includes a mixing port fluidly coupled to the chamber body; The system of claim 11 , wherein the mixing port is configured to receive a nebulizer gas to introduce a transfer gas into the chamber body.

15. the spray chamber further includes a gas addition port fluidly coupled to the first outlet line; 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the gas addition port is configured to receive a gas configured to impinge on at least a portion of matrix particles present in the transport gas in the first outlet line.

16. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the gas addition port is in a cross-flow orientation with respect to the first outlet line.

17. a deceleration line coupled to the first outlet line downstream from the first outlet line; The system of claim 11 , wherein the deceleration line defines an internal cross-sectional area that decreases in a downstream direction from the first exit line toward the induction coupled plasma torch.

18. 20. The system of claim 17, wherein a flow path downstream from the deceleration line includes an interior cross-sectional area that expands to a magnitude greater than a minimum dimension of the interior cross-sectional area of ​​the deceleration line.

19. 1. A method for controlling gas flow from a laser ablation cell, comprising: transferring gas from the laser ablation sample cell to an inductively coupled plasma torch via a transfer line having an inner diameter that is unobstructed over the time between individual samples taken by the laser ablation sample cell; inhibiting transfer of gas from the laser ablation sample cell to the induction coupled plasma torch via operation of a valve fluidly coupled between the laser ablation sample cell and the induction coupled plasma torch.

20. transferring gas from the laser ablation sample cell to the induction coupled plasma torch via a transfer line having an inner diameter that is unobstructed over a period of time between individual samples taken by the laser ablation sample cell includes transferring gas to a spray chamber fluidly coupled to each of the valve and the induction coupled plasma torch; The spray chamber comprises: A spray chamber body; a first outlet line coupled to the spray chamber body and configured to transfer gas from the spray chamber to the induction coupled plasma torch; a second outlet line coupled to the spray chamber body, the second gas outlet having an internal cross-sectional area greater than an internal cross-sectional area of ​​the first outlet line; 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the valve is fluidly coupled to the second outlet line and configured to transition between at least an open configuration configured to allow transfer of gas through the second outlet line and a closed configuration configured to inhibit transfer of gas through the second outlet line.

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