RADOM Altair & Mira Plasma Generators for ICP-MS | RADOM Sirius High-Power Thermal Plasma Generator

Overview

RADOM plasma generators represent a paradigm shift in thermal plasma source engineering for analytical and industrial applications. Unlike conventional inductively coupled plasma (ICP) systems reliant on argon gas and complex water-cooled RF generators, RADOM’s electrodeless, resonant-coupled plasma technology operates without consumable electrodes or external cooling infrastructure. The Altair and Mira series are engineered specifically as drop-in replacements for standard ICP-MS plasma sources—enabling nitrogen-rich or argon-free operation while maintaining stable plasma impedance and robust ionization efficiency. The Sirius platform extends this architecture into high-power thermal processing: delivering up to 100 kW of continuous RF energy into flowing steam or process gases, achieving core plasma temperatures exceeding 6000 °C within the torch. This enables endothermic reaction kinetics unattainable with conventional furnaces or arc plasmas—particularly critical for molecular dissociation (e.g., PFAS destruction), syngas reforming, and vitrification of hazardous waste streams.

Key Features

• Electrodeless resonant plasma generation: Eliminates electrode erosion, extends source lifetime, and removes metal contamination pathways common in DC or RF-torch systems.
• Water-free thermal management: No recirculating chillers, deionized water loops, or heat exchangers—reducing footprint, maintenance intervals, and failure points.
• Gas-flexible operation: Stable plasma sustainment across air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and saturated steam—enabling nitrogen-based spectral analysis and eliminating argon-related polyatomic interferences (e.g., ⁴⁰Ar¹⁶O⁺, ⁴⁰Ar¹⁴N⁺).
• Modular ICP-MS integration: Standardized flange interfaces and adjustable torch positioning accommodate Agilent 7900/8900, Thermo Fisher iCAP RQ/QQQ, PerkinElmer NexION, and Nu Instruments ApexTOF platforms.
• Real-time RF impedance matching: Adaptive tuning maintains plasma stability across variable sample introduction rates and matrix compositions—critical for laser ablation and transient signal analysis.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

RADOM plasma sources are validated for use with liquid, aerosol, and solid micro-sampling interfaces—including CETAC Aridus III desolvating nebulizers, ESI Sciex APEX Q, and UP215 laser ablation cells. The absence of argon permits direct analysis of nitrogen-containing compounds (e.g., nitroaromatics, ammonium salts, amino acids) without spectral overlap from argon-based oxides or hydroxides. All systems comply with electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) directives per IEC 61326-1 and are designed to support audit-ready documentation under ISO/IEC 17025:2017. Firmware logs include timestamped RF power, reflected power, gas flow rate, and plasma ignition status—meeting ALCOA+ principles for raw data integrity and supporting FDA 21 CFR Part 11-compliant electronic records when integrated with validated LIMS environments.

Software & Data Management

Each generator is controlled via RADOM’s PlasmaLink™ embedded controller, accessible through Ethernet TCP/IP or RS-485 Modbus RTU. The controller supports SCADA integration and provides programmable ramp profiles, interlock monitoring (gas pressure, temperature, door safety switches), and event-triggered data capture. Optional PlasmaLog™ software enables synchronized acquisition of plasma parameters alongside mass spectrometer transient signals—facilitating correlation of ion signal intensity with real-time plasma stability metrics. Audit trails record all configuration changes, user logins, and system faults with SHA-256 hashing for tamper-evident archiving—aligning with GLP and GMP laboratory quality systems.

Applications

• ICP-MS interference mitigation: Nitrogen plasma eliminates ⁴⁰Ar¹⁶O⁺ interference on ⁵⁶Fe⁺, enabling high-precision iron isotopic ratio measurements in geological matrices.
• PFAS thermal decomposition: Sirius-driven steam plasma achieves >99.99% destruction efficiency for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) at residence times <100 ms.
• Syngas production: Steam reforming of biomass-derived tars yields H₂/CO ratios tunable between 1.8–2.4 at 50–120 lb/h throughput.
• Surface functionalization: Low-power Altair plasma modifies polymer surfaces (e.g., PET, PTFE) for improved adhesion in medical device manufacturing—verified by XPS and contact angle analysis.
• Radioactive waste vitrification: Sirius plasma melts borosilicate glass frit with simulated cesium-strontium waste forms at >1200 °C melt pool temperatures—demonstrated in pilot-scale crucible trials.

FAQ

Can the Altair/Mira replace my existing ICP-MS plasma torch without hardware modification?
Yes—modular adapter kits are available for all major ICP-MS platforms; torch alignment and RF coupling are adjusted via calibrated micrometer stages included with each unit.
Does nitrogen plasma affect detection limits for transition metals?
For most elements (e.g., Cu, Zn, Cd), detection limits remain comparable to argon plasma; for elements with high ionization potential (e.g., As, Se), minor sensitivity reduction (~15–20%) is offset by elimination of oxide interferences.
What safety certifications apply to the Sirius 100 kW system?
The Sirius platform carries CE marking per Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU; radiation shielding meets ANSI N43.3 Class II requirements for RF exposure.
Is remote diagnostics supported?
Yes—PlasmaLink™ includes secure SSH access, firmware OTA updates, and diagnostic telemetry export via SFTP or OPC UA.
How is plasma stability quantified during operation?
Stability is monitored via real-time RF forward/reflected power ratio (VSWR), optical emission intensity at 396.15 nm (Mg II line), and acoustic emission sensors detecting arc-mode transitions.