Evaluation of Inductively Couple Plasma-time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry for Laser Ablation Analyses (original) (raw)

Open ablation cell for LA-ICPMS investigations of historic objects

Laser ablation (LA) of historic objects (glass and ceramic) as well as reference materials (NIST610 and SRM679) was executed in standard closed or home made open ablation cells of different intrinsic volume (c.a. 60 cm 3 and 9 cm 3 or 4.5 cm 3 respectively). Comparative investigations with different ablation cells were carried out with argon as the carrier gas and registration of transient signals during the subsequent multielemental analysis by means of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Open cells allowed direct ablation from surface of historic objects and demonstrated suitability for mapping and quantitative elemental analysis. Resolution of created maps showing distribution of selected elements was improved by using open cells for which the rinse out time of aerosol was noticeably shortened (by a factor of 3) compared to the standard cell. The accuracy of quantitative elemental results obtained for ceramic objects was tested using SRM679 Brick Clay in the form of pressed pellet and was found to be satisfactory. It was demonstrated that the applicability of LA-ICP-MS in archaeometry as well as conservation science could be enhanced by popularization of open cells for the direct ablation from objects, which are too big to fit to standard cells and require strict limitation of sampling.

Direct liquid ablation: a new calibration strategy for laser ablation ICP-MS microanalysis of solids and liquids

Fresenius Journal of Analytical Chemistry, 1997

Trace elements in microliter quantities of aqueous solutions were analysed by direct liquid ablation using an 193 nm excimer with an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). Fractionation resulting from splashing and evaporation can be minimised by covering the liquid surface with a thin plastic film, through which a 20 μm hole is drilled with the laser. Particle-size distribution and

GGR Biennial Review: Advances in Laser Ablation and Solution ICP-MS from 2008 to 2009 with Particular Emphasis on Sensitivity Enhancements, Mitigation of Fractionation Effects and Exploration of New Applications

Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research, 2010

Recent developments from 2008 to 2009 in ICP-MS engineering, methods and applications are reviewed here. Of particular emphasis are advances in: (a) maximising sensitivity and reducing elemental ⁄ isotopic fractionation during laser ablation processing; (b) developing new analytical techniques to measure major, minor and trace element abundances without depending on matrix-matched calibrating materials, predetermined internal standard concentrations and ⁄ or multiple analytical methods; (c) applying in situ and solution-based ICP-MS techniques to the analysis of forensic materials for criminal and ⁄ or nuclear investigations; and (d) improving precision and limits of detection of laser ablation multi-collector ICP-MS measurements of (ultra) trace elemental and isotopic abundances. developments in laser ablation and solution ICP-MS analytical techniques have focused on a number of emerging issues, but most acutely on: (a) enhancing sensitivity and describing ⁄ reducing elemental and isotopic fractionation resulting from laser irradiation through the use of femtosecond laser pulsing and ⁄ or modified laser sampling systems during LA-ICP-MS; (b) quantitatively measuring major, minor and trace element abundances without an internal standard and ⁄ or matrixmatched calibrating RMs via in situ and high-precision standard addition procedures; (c) applying ICP-MS analytical methods, including through both solid and solution sample introduction, to the characterisation of forensic materials for criminal and nuclear investigations; and (d) improving precision and limits of detection of LA

Laser ablation in analytical chemistry—a review

Talanta, 2002

Laser ablation is becoming a dominant technology for direct solid sampling in analytical chemistry. Laser ablation refers to the process in which an intense burst of energy delivered by a short laser pulse is used to sample (remove a portion of) a material. The advantages of laser ablation chemical analysis include direct characterization of solids, no chemical procedures for dissolution, reduced risk of contamination or sample loss, analysis of very small samples not separable for solution analysis, and determination of spatial distributions of elemental composition. This review describes recent research to understand and utilize laser ablation for direct solid sampling, with emphasis on sample introduction to an inductively coupled plasma (ICP). Current research related to contemporary experimental systems, calibration and optimization, and fractionation is discussed, with a summary of applications in several areas.

A study of laser ablation and slurry nebulisation sample introduction for the analysis of geochemical materials by inductively coupled plasma spectrometry

Fresenius' Journal of Analytical Chemistry, 1990

The performances of two alternative sample in troduction methods for use with Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and In ductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) have been evaluated for the analysis of the same sample material. The laser ablation sample introduction system is based on a Nd: YAG laser to which an x-y-z translational sampling head had been added. A study has been made of a number of parameters which affect the performance of the system to find the optimum operating conditions. The slurry introduction system involved aspirating the slurries into the plasma using a "de Galan" nebuliser and a "Scott-type" spray chamber arrangement. A study has been made of the parameters which control the production of stable homo geneous slurries. Initial particle size measurements have been carried out on the slurried samples to show how this affects this method of sample introduction. Results are presented for the analysis of a South African reference material rock sample (SARM 5) by ICP-OES with both laser ablation and slurry nebulisation sample introduction and some pre liminary results for the analysis by ICP-MS with laser abla tion introduction. Semi-quantitative results are obtained for laser ablation ICP-OES as only one matrix matched standard is used. However, the agreement between the results obtained for slurry nebulisation and the certificate value is poor. It is suggested by comparison with previous studies that this may be due to particle size effects. Encouraging results were obtained for the determination of trace elements by laser ablation ICP-MS.

Laser Ablation ICP-MS Developments and Trends for 2003

Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research, 2005

This annual review of laser-ablation inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) covers the year 2003. Significant advances were made in understanding laser-sample interactions. In particular, research defined the distribution of particle sizes produced by the interplay of laser wavelength, laser pulse width and the gas environment of ablation. A link between particle sizes and elemental and isotopic fractionation at both the ablation site and in the ICP was established. Experimental 157 nm and femtosecond laser systems were tested with promising results. The number of applications of LA-ICP-MS in geology and environmental Earth science continued to grow with particular interest in element concentration and isotope ratio profiling of materials, linking composition to time scales. In situ isotopic ratio measurements were increasingly made using multicollector magnetic sector ICP-MS instruments. Other applications of wide interest included bulk sampling of rocks and ores prepared as lithium borate glasses; low level analysis of platinumgroup elements, rhenium and gold in sulfides, metal and silicates; in situ uranium-lead zircon geochronology; and melt and fluid inclusion analysis.