Use of a novel array detector for the direct analysis of solid samples by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma sector-field mass spectrometry

• Published in: Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry 2004-06, Vol.15 (6), p.769-776
• Main Authors: Barnes, James H, Schilling, Gregory D, Hieftje, Gary M, Sperline, Roger P, Denton, M.Bonner, Barinaga, Charles J, Koppenaal, David W
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemistry; Emission spectroscopy; Exact sciences and technology; Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry; Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; Ionization; Laser ablation; Lasers; Mass spectrometers and related techniques; Mass spectrometry; Organic chemistry; Physics; Reactivity and mechanisms; Scientific imaging; Spatial resolution
• ISSN: 1044-0305; 1879-1123
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jasms.2004.01.010

The use of laser ablation (LA) as a sample-introduction method for inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) creates a powerful tool for trace elemental analysis. With this type of instrument, high analyte spatial resolution is possible in three dimensions with ng/g limits of detection and minimal sample consumption. Here, simultaneous detection is used to eliminate the correlated noise that plagues the ablation process. This benefit allows analyses to be performed with single laser pulses, resulting in improved depth resolution, even less sample consumption, and improved measurement precision. The new instrument includes an LA sample-introduction system coupled to an ICP ionization source and a Mattauch-Herzog mass spectrograph (MHMS) fitted with a novel array detector. With this instrument, absolute limits of detection are in the tens to hundreds of fg regime and isotope-ratio precision is better than 0.02% RSD with a one-hour integration period. Finally, depth-profile analysis has been performed with a depth resolution of 5 nm per ablation event.