Methods and apparatuses for analyzing solder plating solutions

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for determining concentrations of various inorganic or organic components in solder plating solutions, which include titration or parallel titration methods, direct potentiometry methods, calibration methods, and/or UV-Vis absorption analysis.

1 . An optical cell for conducting spectrometric analysis of one or more test solutions, comprising: 
 a first fluid compartment of a first volume;    one or more fluid inlets connected to said first fluid compartment for introducing one or more test solutions thereinto;    a second fluid compartment of a second volume connected to said first fluid compartment, wherein said second volume is smaller than the first volume;    a fluid outlet connected to said second fluid compartment for discharging said one or more test solutions;    optionally, a fluid mixing device in said first and/or second fluid compartment for mixing said one or more test solutions;    at least one irradiation light source for irradiating light into said second fluid compartment;    at least one light detector coupled with said at least one irradiation light source for detecting light transmitted or emitted by said one or more test solutions in said second fluid compartment; and    optionally, a computational device connected with said at least one light detector, for collecting absorbance spectrum of said one or more test solutions and conducting spectrometric analysis based thereon.    
   
   
       2 . The optical cell of  claim 1 , wherein said second volume is in the range of from about ⅕ to about ½ of the first volume.  
   
   
       3 . The optical cell of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more test solutions comprise one or more components of a solder plating solution.  
   
   
       4 . The optical cell of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more test solutions comprise a sample solder plating solution.  
   
   
       5 . The optical cell of  claim 4 , wherein said optical cell further comprises an opaque polymeric cover that covers an exterior surface of each of the first and the second fluid compartments.  
   
   
       6 . The optical cell of  claim 5 , wherein said opaque polymeric cover is a black polyvinyl chloride cover.  
   
   
       7 . The optical cell of  claim 4 , wherein said optical cell further comprises a corrosion-resistant liner on an interior surface of each of the first and the second fluid compartments.  
   
   
       8 . The optical cell of  claim 7 , wherein said corrosion-resistant liner comprises tetrafluoroethylene.