Plasma - Agilent Technologies 4100 Site Preparation Manual

Safety Practices and Hazards
The safety practices described below are provided to help the user
operate the Agilent 4100 MP-AES safely. Read each safety topic
thoroughly before attempting to operate the MP-AES and always
operate the MP-AES in accordance with these safety practices.
If you are unsure of the effects of any liquid, gas or chemical on the
MP-AES, consult your Agilent field service engineer or approved
representative before use.
If the MP-AES is to be used in conjunction with other non-Agilent
equipment, the safety requirements of any system incorporating the
MP-AES is the responsibility of the assembler of the system.

Plasma

The plasma is extremely hot (about 6,000 °C, 11,000 °F) and operates
using high levels of microwave energy. The plasma emits high
intensity light. Always wear appropriate eye protection if viewing the
plasma. Close contact with the operating plasma can result in severe
heat burns to the skin, and exposure to microwave radiation can
cause sub-surface skin burns.
Do not operate the plasma if:
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The microwave excitation assembly is designed to contain microwave
radiation and generate the plasma while still permitting easy
installation of the torch and viewing of the plasma. The MP-AES has
an interlock system that is designed to extinguish the plasma if either
the pre-optics window holder is opened or the torch is unloaded. Do
not attempt to bypass the interlock system.
12 Agilent 4100 Microwave Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer Site Preparation Guide
the microwave excitation assembly appears to be damaged
foreign material is present in the viewing port (left end of the
microwave excitation assembly) or the torch aperture (vertical
space for the torch)
the space above the chimney is not clear of objects
the MP-AES exhaust system is not connected or turned on