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An inductively coupled plasma receives power through electromagnetic induction. An alternating coil electric current produces a changing magnetic field, which induces an electric field in the gas. Electrons accelerated by that field transfer energy through collisions, sustaining ionization and driving atomic transitions.

A typical analytical source surrounds a gas-carrying dielectric torch with a radiofrequency coil. Excited atoms emit spectral lines useful for atomic spectroscopy, while extracted ions can feed mass spectrometry. The coil supplies energy without requiring it to touch the plasma. Coupling, gas composition and particle losses determine the discharge response. ^[ref]