Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) for in-situ measurements of trace, minor and major element as it relates to comparable microanalytical techniques such as electron microprobe (EPMA), micro-XRF, and SIMS leads to better use of each technique for appropriate situations. In efforts to best utilize our instrumentation we now consider the complementary nature of the electron microprobe and LA-ICP-MS for many projects. While it can be generalized that LA-ICP-MS does deliver better trace element sensitivity than the EPMA or XRF for much of the periodic table, there are still some limitations to LA-ICP-MS that should be defined. Many of the trace element analyses that demonstrate the utility of LA-ICP-MS still require screening or reconnaissance investigation of the sample by SEM or EPMA. Here we outline methodology for calibration of LA-ICP-MS data, new developments of reference materials suitable for microanalysis, new advances of LA-ICP-MS for quantitative trace element mapping, an brief overview of the comparison between LA-ICP-MS and other microanalytical techniques and applications that have been run in both our SEM/EPMA and our LA-ICP-MS labs.The achilles heel of LA-ICP-MS and many techniques is the calibration strategies required for accurate quantification. In LA-ICP-MS chemical matrix matching of the calibration material to the unknown target is required. It can be generalized that for many silicates or glasses that 193 nm LA systems are less matrix dependant than 213 nm and these are less matrix dependent than 266 nm LA systems. But even with reduced matrix dependence, all LA-ICP-MS analyses require calibration reference materials that are 1) a decent chemical match to the unknown, 2) are well characterized for all analytes of interest, 3) are homogeneous at the required scale of sampling and 4) are available in sufficient quantities to last more than a few analyses and are available to LA-ICP-MS labs worldwide. The prevalence of LA-ICP-MS in the geological and mineralogical community has led to many of the calibration reference materials available being of matrices that are of importance to the geological community. The United States Geological Survey Geochemical Reference Materials Program has been a pioneer of reference materials for the geological community for over 50 years. Since 2001, the USGS has been developing reference materials suitable for LA-ICP-MS [1]. Currently there are 9 basaltic glasses from the USGS that are either available or in the final stages of certification that are suitable as reference materials for both LA-ICP-MS and other microanalytical techniques. Additionally, materials that as pressed pellets are suitable for LA-ICP-MS have been produced for calcium carbonate [2], calcium phosphate as well as several others that are currently being tested. The availability of these materials for LA-ICP-MS calibrations have allowed both advances in the acceptance of LA-ICP-MS as a quantitative technique an...
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