Agilent (formerly Hewlett-Packard) and Yokogawa Electric of Japan established their first joint venture in 1963. It was from this strong collaborative base that Yokogawa Analytical Systems Inc. was formed in 1992 to build the next generation ICP-MS for the world market. Yokogawa was already well known in Japan for its high performance PMS series ICP-MS systems; this instrument expertise combined with HP’s leadership in analytical technology led to the introduction of the HP 4500 worldwide in 1994.The first benchtop ICP-MS, the HP 4500 was to become the most successful ICP-MS platform ever produced with more than 750 shipped in a five-year period. Only the Agilent 7500 Series has surpassed this record with more than 1000 units shipped in a 4 year period – Agilent’s reward for its continued program of research and innovation. The 7700 Series replaces the market-leading 7500 Series, and improves on the previous model in every way.
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4500 ICP-MS
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7500 ICP-MS
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7700 ICP-MS
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Landmarks at a Glance
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1987 |
Yokogawa PMS 100 - First computer-controlled ICP-MS |
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1988 |
Yokogawa PMS 200 - Second generation ICP-MS |
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1990 |
Yokogawa PMS 2000 - Omega off-axis lens system provides lowest random background of any ICP-MS |
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1992 |
ShieldTorch interface developed - Ar interferences virtually eliminated enabling ppt analysis of K, Ca, Fe by ICP-MS |
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1994 |
HP 4500 Series introduced - World's first benchtop system - first use of hyperbolic profile quad rods |
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1998 |
500th shipment of 4500 Series |
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1998 |
First real time ICP-MS chromatographic software, Plasma Chrom, is introduced |
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1999 |
4500 Series 100, 200 and 300 introduced providing the first applications specific ICP-MS instruments 750th shipment of 4500 Series |
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2000 |
Agilent 7500 Series - 7500a, 7500i and 7500s - the next generation in ICP-MS instrumentation. 9 orders detector range |
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2001 |
Agilent 7500c launched - collision cell ICP-MS for high matrix samples.
Over 1000 units (4500 and 7500) shipped. |
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2002 |
New digital generators and LAN control introduced.
First commercial GC-ICP-MS interface.
Over 1200 units installed. |
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2003 |
Agilent 7500cs launched - collision cell ICP-MS for high purity semicon samples.
Over 1400 units shipped. |
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2004 |
Agilent 7500ce launched – high sensitivity collision cell ICP-MS for high matrix samples.
Over 1600 units shipped. |
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2005 |
Third cell gas line options introduced – unique in ICP-MS. |
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2006 |
Over 2000 units shipped. |
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2007 |
Agilent 7500cx launched – interference-free analysis of all elements in any matrix, under a single set of operating conditions: simper, faster, more accurate ICP-MS. |
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2007 |
Over 2000 7500 Series ICP-MS shipped. |
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2008 |
High Matrix Introduction (HMI) accessory for 7500 ORS Series launched - enables the analysis of 1% TDS (or higher, depending on the matrix) samples directly – unique in ICP-MS. |
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2008 |
ICP-MS MassHunter Software released. ISIS-DS discrete sampling system for ultra high throughput analysis introduced. |
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2009 |
Agilent 7700 Series ICP-MS launched – offering unmatched data integrity, ease of use and occupies the smallest amount of bench space by far of any ICP-MS instrument. |
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Leading the Way - Comparison to Other ICP-MS Systems
- 1987: World’s first computer controlled ICP-MS (PMS 100 – Japan only)
All other ICP-MS systems of the time used manual adjustment of the ion lens voltages, gas flows, etc.
- 1990: First use of off-axis ion lens (Omega Lens) in ICP-MS (PMS 2000 – Japan only, then incorporated in HP4500 in 1994 for worldwide market)
All other ICP-MS systems of the time used an on-axis photon/shadow stop, which gives poorer ion transmission (especially at low mass) and higher background.
- 1992: Development of ShieldTorch System (PMS 2000/HP 4500; patented in Japan only)
All other ICP-MS systems of the time used a simple end grounded or balanced load coil, which give about 5-10V plasma potential, poor control of ion energy and inefficient cool plasma performance.
- 1994: World’s first benchtop ICP-MS (HP 4500)
All other ICP-MS systems of the time were large, floor standing units. Some other manufacturers now supply benchtop instruments but Agilent’s long experience in this format provides benefits in system design to control heat output, air flow and ease of access for maintenance and servicing.
- 1994: First Peltier controlled spray chamber (HP 4500)
All other ICP-MS systems of the time provided “air-cooled” spray chamber or second water circuit with mini-chiller (slow and inaccurate control).
- 1994: First (and only) use of hyperbolic profile quadrupole rods for ICP-MS
All other ICP-MS systems use round rods (either gold plated ceramic or solid Mo/stainless steel). Hyperbolic rods give better peak shape, resolution and abundance sensitivity at a given resolution setting, due to smaller “wings” on high intensity peaks. Also eliminates requirement to change resolution for specific high intensity peaks adjacent to low intensity trace analytes.
- 1994: First high-precision, stepper motor control of torchbox x-, y-, z-position (HP 4500)
Provides full computer control and auto-tuning of ion sampling position in all 3 axes. Standard on all Agilent ICP-MS systems.
- 2000: First 9 orders dynamic range simultaneous detector
All other ICP-MS instruments have an 8 orders dynamic range, which can be enhanced through the selection of specific operating conditions (ion lens attenuation, quad resolution increase, detector de-tuning) to artificially increase the upper measurable concentration limit. However, requires operator input to select the conditions for the high level elements, i.e. the sample composition must be known before the analysis is started.
- 2001: First custom-designed Integrated Autosampler for ICP-MS
Provides unique combination of clean sample environment, flowing rinse station, carousel rack layout, multiple rinse stations and auto-sensing of rack configuration.
- 2002: First digital drive, solid state generator for ICP-MS
Smallest RF generator in ICP-MS – also lowest heat output. All other ICP-MS systems either use non solid state (i.e. vacuum based) or analog drive solid state generator. Digital drive gives more efficient square-wave power generation, leading to less energy wasted as heat.
- 2002: First use of LAN communication for instrument control in ICP-MS
All other ICP-MS systems either use custom communication (e.g. GPIB) or RS232, both of which are MUCH slower and have less bandwidth than LAN.
- 2002: First GC Interface for routine GC-ICP-MS
Other vendors have customer-fabricated GC interfaces.
- 2003: First use of +ve Extraction Lens and Collision/Reaction Cell
All other ICP-MS systems either use no extraction lens (which gives very poor ion transmission for light elements) or use strong –ve extraction voltage (which gives high backgrounds for easily ionized elements – Li, Na, K, etc).
- 2004: The Octopole Reaction System (ORS) Upgrade available for all 7500 Series users.
Agilent offers on site upgradeability to the newest ORS.
- 2005: Third cell gas line options
All other cell ICP-MS have only the possibility of 2 cell gas lines maximum. Agilent ORS offers either NH3 or Xe as 3rd cell gas line for special applications.
- 2007: 7500cx: First cell ICP-MS to operate only in collision mode
All other cell ICP-MS require the use of reaction mode to remove interferences. Reaction mode can't be used for unknown, high matrix samples since new interferences are generated due to reaction with sample matrix.
- 2008: ICP-MS MassHunter
ICP-MS MassHunter incorporates many new productivity enhancing features such as Expert Autotune, One-click Plasma Setting, and Batch-at-a-Glance real time data review.
- 2009: 7700 Series ICP-MS
Successor to the world’s best-selling ICP-MS, the Agilent 7500 Series, the 7700 Series provides unmatched data integrity, is simple to operate and occupies the smallest amount of bench space by far of any ICP-MS instrument.
Additional Information
Customer Success Stories |
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