Laser Ablation – ICPMS: A Tool for Multielement Microanalysis of Solid Samples

Abstract

Laser ablation – ICPMS is a multielement, microanalytical technique that has developed rapidly since its inception by Gray in 1985. Its multidisciplinary character follows from applications in various fields such as biology, medicine, geology, archaeology, forensics, and materials science. Initially a tool for probing bulk element concentrations of solid samples via drilling or line scanning, it has become a very powerful technique to assess surface (2-dimensional) and volume (3-dimensional) element distribution. During the last five years, instrumental improvements to the laser ablation cell and its interface with the ICPMS have led to 25-100 times faster surface and volume mapping times, making high-resolution scans feasible in reasonable mapping times (hours). With the latest generation of laser ablation – ICPMS instruments one can obtain better than 5×5 µm2 pixel resolution with detection limits on the µg/kg level for most elements of the periodic table. This presentation focuses on the fundamentals of the technique, its development, its latest incarnation, and examples of multidisciplinary applications.