7. Performance

7.1 Analytical performance

Analytical performance is linked to accuracy and precision, in particular instrument repeatability. Limits of detection and quantification can also be taken into account. In addition, a number of factors contribute to improving instrument quality: the number of determinable elements, selectivity expressed here as resolution, dynamic range and linearity domain, salt concentration of solutions, robustness to matrix effects and long-term stability.

Around 70 elements can be determined by ICP emission spectrometry. Based on the 1976 IUPAC definition, two approaches to the detection limit are used in ICP-AES, standard deviation or relative standard deviation, with the following strictly equivalent formulas: