Laser-Ablation Connected with Inductively-Coupled-Plasma – Mass-Spectrometry (LA – ICP – MS)

Method
LA – ICP – MS enables the space-and depth-resolved elemental analysis. This multi-element determination technique is preferably established for trace and ultra trace analyses. In several cases adapted quantification strategies allow the determination of minor and major components. The investigated material is vaporized in a stream of helium (or argon) by a focused laser spot (5 - 120 μm in diameter) and introduced via a carrier gas (helium or argon) into a mass-spectrometer with inductively-coupled-argon-plasma (ICP – MS). The quantification is carried out with reference materials. These method is nearly non-destructive.

Sample preparation
Almost no sample preparation necessary.

Required amount of sample
Minor, trace and ultratrace analyses can be performed on single crystals, compact samples and pressed powder samples, respectively.

Instrumentation
Geolas Q Plus (Coherent) mit ArF Excimer Laser Compex 102 (Coherent): Laser-ablation unit;
ICP-MS 810 (Varian):
Quadrupole – ICP – MS – spectrometer