Laser ablation sample introduction system for ICP-MS elemental analysis

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The successful development of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometers (ICP-MS) now makes it possible to perform rapid, precise abundance and isotope analysis of a large array of elements at very low concentration levels. This technology, combined with the ability to microsample solid materials by laser ablation (LA), produces an instrument (LA-ICP-MS) with the ability to measure element abundances in samples with a high degree of sensitivity and spatial resolution. Thus, LA-ICP-MS constitutes the single most powerful microanalytical technique currently available. An additional attribute of LA-ICP-MS is the capacity to perform time-resolved analyses, in which the element abundance is monitored during ablation into the sample. This technique provides essential information bearing on the homogeneity of the sample, the presence of submicron-scale inclusions of discrete phases, and can be used to quantify element abundances in materials that produce transient signals, such as fluid or melt inclusions or nanoparticles. In most cases, minimal sample preparation is required. A broad range of solids can be measured by this method, including transparent glasses, battery feedstock, semiconductors, bone, hair, mineral specimens, metals, etc. Funds are requested to purchase a complete laser ablation sample delivery system, consisting of a 213 nm laser with beam delivery optics, automated stage, ablation cell, video imaging and data reduction software. This sample introduction system will be coupled to the existing Thermo Scientific iCAP Q ICP-MS located in Dalhousie’s Health and Environments Research Centre [HERC] Laboratory. This combined sample introduction and analysis system will thereby provide the regional research community with a new analytical capability, enabling advances in a wide range of areas in which trace element microanalysis is required.