Agilent Technologies Launches New Inductively Coupled Mass Spectrometer Delivering Higher Productivity, More Accurate Results

SANTA CLARA, Calif., April 27, 2007 -- Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today introduced the Agilent 7500cx, a new inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) delivering simplified operation for higher productivity and more accurate results. 

The system enables interference-free analysis of all elements in any matrix, under a single set of operating conditions. Its Octopole Reaction System (ORS) removes interfering species using only inert helium gas (He mode), which vastly improves speed and accuracy. 

“Only Agilent’s Octopole Reaction System technology can use helium collision mode for all elements,” said Chris Toney, vice president and general manager, Chemical Analysis Mass Spectrometer Systems. “This new direction in ICP-MS is simpler and faster, and yields more accurate results -- criteria vital to routine trace metal analytical labs that require the best performance from reliable, robust and simple-to-use instrumentation.” 

The Octopole Reaction System eliminates polyatomic interferences arising from the plasma and sample matrix using a simple process, Kinetic Energy Discrimination. Its advantages include: 

o         Ease of use -- the ORS operates in collision using only inert helium, eliminating side reactions that would create unpredictable, new interferences;  

o         Reliability -- all measurements are made directly on the analyte mass, yielding more reliable results;  

o         Effectiveness -- the ORS operates under one set of cell conditions, irrespective of the composition, source or reactivity of the interfering species; and 

o         Fast gas switching -- the unique Agilent octopole allows the cell to have a small internal volume, which produces fast switching between gas modes.  

Helium mode also allows the user to achieve the full potential of ICP-MS for semi-quantitative analysis. Complex, unknown samples can be quickly surveyed with better accuracy than ever before. Moreover, sample preparation no longer need be limited to nitric acid digestion; more effective digest media, such as HCl or H2SO4, can be employed without concern for the interferences that these acids typically cause. 

If needed for special applications, the Agilent 7500cx can be upgraded to include additional cell gases for applications including ultra-trace selenium and sulphur analysis. 

For further details, click on “Instruments and Systems” at www.chem.agilent.com. 

Availability

The Agilent 7500cx ICP-MS is now available to order. For sales information or a complete list of features and benefits per configuration, please contact your sales representative or the Agilent Customer Call Center (phone numbers by country are available online at www.chem.agilent.com/scripts/cag_feedback.asp). 

About Agilent in Mass Spectrometry

Agilent is a leading provider of ICP-MS, GC/MS and LC/MS technologies for organic and inorganic spectrometry. Among the company’s key products are the 7500 Series ICP-MS systems, the 5973 and 5975 inert GC/MSDs, and the Agilent 6000 Series LC/MS single-quadrupole, triple-quadrupole, ion trap, TOF and Q-TOF instruments. Agilent provides innovative HPLC-Chip/MS technology and the broadest range of ion sources in the industry. As a leader in separations and software, Agilent can address the entire customer workflow from sample introduction through data analysis. 

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies (NYSE: A) is the world’s premier measurement company and a technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. The company’s 19,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $5.0 billion in fiscal 2006. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.

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Press release URL: http://www.agilent.com/about/newsroom/presrel/2007/02apr-ca07019.html 

Additional metadata keywords (for Web use only): ICP-MS, mass spectrometer, octopole reaction system