The analytical chemistry group of the Los Alamos National Laboratory has modified a Spectraspan VI D-C plasma emission spectrometer for the analysis of nuclear material by adapting it to a plutonium glove box. The plasma source compartment of the spectrometer was enclosed in a specially designed glove box end plate on the end of a two-station containment box assembly.

Very little modification of the spectrometer was necessary to mount the torch on the glove box wall. A quartz window was inserted in the glove box wall to provide an optical interface between the spectrometer and the source. There was no further modification of the optical path. To maintain optimum instrument performance, the distance between the plasma and the entrance slit was designed to remain the same as it was originally.

The engineering changes to the jet assembly and glove box, the health and safety issues considered, and air flows through critical areas of the glove box are described.