Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) uses a focused laser beam to ablate the sample surface, with the ablated particles carried to an Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) source for ionization, followed by Mass spectrometry. This test is offered by Infinita Lab, USA, to clients in the USA and across the world through its vast laboratory network.
Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is an effective elemental and isotopic analysis method of solid objects. The operation principles involve directing a narrow laser beam on the sample to remove a layer and create particles carried to the ICP. Here, the atoms are ionized, and the ion beams are introduced into a mass spectrum (MS) that is analyzed depending on its mass-charge ratio. LA-ICP-MS incorporates great sensitivity and could explore the whole sample and limited segments with a given µm dimension. This technique is best used in disciplines such as material science, environmental chemistry, and forensic science as it is accurate and does not require a lot of sample preparation since it analyses most forms of solid samples.
LA-ICP-MS is a powerful tool for direct and precise analysis of solid materials with minimal sample preparation. It is decisive in detecting trace elements and isotopes in different materials such as metals, minerals, and environmental samples. Its applications include materials science, environmental monitoring, forensic science, and geochemistry. It is susceptible and may analyze bulk samples and small, localized regions. It is suitable for studying heterogeneous materials and complex structures in high spatial resolution with little sample destruction.
Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) uses a focused laser beam to break down the sample surface and remove (ablate) delicate particulate matter. The particulates pass into an Inductively Coupled Plasma generator (ICP), where the atoms are excited and ionized by high-temperature plasma. Then, these ions flow into a coupled mass spectrometer (MS). In the MS, the ions are accelerated and separated based on their mass-to-charge ratios and their intensities recorded to produce characteristic mass spectra. A recent technical advancement involves using Femtosecond laser pulses for ablation to reduce damage to the molecular species being investigated. It also provides an ideal size distribution for transport into ICP-MS for better detection sensitivity.
LA-ICP-MS offers highly sensitive elemental and isotopic analysis of solid samples. Bulk solids are analyzed with a typical laser spot size of 100 ~ 350 microns, and technicians can perform spot analysis at a resolution of a few microns.
Sample features between 200 and 40 μm are ablated. However, It can analyze five μm under certain conditions.
The results from LA-ICP-MS provide highly accurate elemental and isotopic data, with sensitivity sufficient to detect trace elements in a range of materials. The technique offers detailed compositional analysis with high spatial resolution, even for small or heterogeneous samples.
The strengths and weaknesses of LA-ICP-MS are as follows.
| Strengths | Weakness |
| A single analysis can measure Trace, minor, and significant elements. | It requires matrix-matched, solid reference materials for accurate quantitative analysis. |
| Samples with features between 200 and 40 μm are routinely ablated. However, its features as small as five μm can also be analyzed in specific conditions. | It cannot measure unstable radioisotopes, hydrogen (H), nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), fluorine (F), or noble gases. |
| Capable of producing qualitative, semi-quantitative, or fully quantitative data, depending on the requirements. | For most samples, adding an internal standard element for data normalization is impossible; an alternative matrix element or pseudo-internal standard is often required. |
Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry is one of the highly sensitive techniques for the quantitative and qualitative analysis of solids at a very high accuracy level. It can detect fine and localized regions and bulk samples with less preparation, making it crucial for various applications in material science, environmental monitoring, and forensic analysis. It is susceptible and has high spatial resolution, which is particularly effective for studying complex or heterogeneous materials, giving detailed insights into trace elements and isotopic compositions.
Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry offers micro-scale analysis to determine elemental and stable isotopes of solid samples.
LA-ICP-MS starts by directing a focused laser beam onto the sample surface. The beam ablates the material into fine particles, which are then carried to the ICP-MS system, where they undergo ionization and excitation for further analysis.
LA-ICP-MS is employed to analyze the surfaces of solid materials across various fields such as chemistry, biology, materials science, geology, and forensics. This technique effectively studies solid samples like crystals, metals, geological specimens, and biological materials.
Recent advancements in LA-ICP-MS include using femtosecond laser pulses for ablation, which reduces sample damage and improves sensitivity. These advancements have enhanced the technique's ability to analyze complex and delicate samples more precisely.
LA-ICP-MS is a minimally destructive technique, as it analyzes only a minimal amount of the sample's surface. However, it is not completely non-destructive, as the laser ablation removes a small quantity of material from the sample.
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