Nebulisation:

The analyte samples in all three states (solid, liquid, gas) have been successfully introduced into an ICP. For providing the solutions, a nebuliser is used to convert the liquid stream into an aerosol consisting of particles that are 1-10 mm in diameter. Direct injection of liquids into the plasma would either extinguish the plasma or cause the atoms to be improperly desolvated and making excitation and emission less efficient.

Figure: Pneumatic nebulisers used in ICP-AES, (a) Concentric tube type and (b) cross flow type