It is generally assumed that inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometers (ICP OES) with axial configuration present severe matrix effects when compared to radially viewed ones, although lower detection limits are obtained. However, the development of solid state detectors associated with a Littrow optical arrangement with an echelle grating and proper interfaces for plasma tail cut off led to an increase of analytical applications based on axially viewed configuration. In this review, papers published from 1999 to 2006 using this configuration for matrix effects evaluation, optimization of the operating conditions and analysis of complex samples, such as slurries, are discussed.
axially viewed configuration; ICP OES; matrix effects
