SAMPLING SYSTEM FOR A SEPARATION CHANNEL

摘要

A sampling system for providing a sample plug 70 from a fluid sample, comprising: a flow channel through which a flow of a fluid sample is passed; plasma generators 12 and 14; and a control unit configured to drive the plasma generator 12 at a power level at which the fluid sample is modified by the plasma P1 and interrupt the plasma P1 for a period of time such as to allow a plug of the fluid sample to pass downstream thereof. The volume of the plug 70 is determined by the time period during which the plasma P1 is interrupted. With the plasma P1 being maintained, the components of the plug 70 separate on transit through a separation channel 10. These components pass through the second plasma P2, and the emissions generated are detected by an optical detector 16.