Laser ablation allows direct sampling of solid materials (e.g. minerals, pressed powder pellets, inclusions, metal alloys) without need to dissolve the samples in mineral acids. We use a NewWave microprobe with Q-switched frequency quintupled Nd:YAG laser 213 nm (Fremont, USA). The laser beam (up to 2.5 mJ/pulse) is directed through a series of apertures and focused onto the sample surface. The sample is placed in cell mounted on a computer-driven motorized stage. The size of single laser pit can vary from 4 microns up to approximately 110 microns in diameter. Different ablation patterns such as single spots, lines or raster are also possible. The ablated material from the cell is flushed into the ICP by stream of He gas. The NewWave laser microprobe is coupled with Thermo Scientific X-Series II ICP quadrupole mass spectrometer.
Laser ablation is used for variety of trace element and isotope measurements of geological, material and environmental samples. Detection limits vary with sample matrix and the analyzed elements from several ppb up to tens of ppm.
NewWave 213 nm laser microprobe coupled with X-Series II ICP mass spectrometer