Temporal Changes of Fractionation Index Caused by Changes in the Large Size of Ablated Particles in Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

To elucidate mechanisms of elemental fractionation that are observed in laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, the relative intensities of 34 elements, each normalized by a Ca internal standard, were measured every minute during a 10-min laser ablation of an NIST 610 glass standard. Temporal changes in the fractionation index (FI) were obtained by dividing the relative intensity of every minute by that of the first minute. The particles generated by laser ablation were collected on a filter every minute, and they were observed using scanning electron microscopy to investigate changes in the large size of particles. Large variations among the large size of particles were observed using single-site mode and under 1.0 mm defocus conditions. The 34 measured elements were classified into two groups, depending on their observed FI variation. The FI variation was rationalized by elemental behavior due to changes in the large size of ablated particles introduced into the ICP.

Particle size-related elemental fractionation in laser ablation in liquid inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

“…The clas-sication of the elements on the basis of their EFs showed good agreement with the previously reported classication based on the fractionation index. 33…”

Determination of Trace Elements in Sintered and Single-Crystal Silicon Carbide by Laser Ablation in Liquid Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

“…This protocol suppressed the influence of elemental fractionation due to incomplete vaporization and ionization, which tend to occur when large particles are introduced into the ICP. 19 Argon gas was added between the ablation cell and the impactor. A schematic diagram of the LA-ICPMS system with the ablation cell and the cascade impactor is shown in Fig.…”

Atomization and Changes in Chemical Composition by Laser Ablation in Liquid prior to Determination of Trace Elements in Gallium Nitride

“…12 In the present study, we examined the differences between single-crystal GaN before and after LAL sampling, and devised an analytical method to easily and precisely quantify the trace elements in a sample of GaN. In LAL sampling, when a nanosecond laser is used, two types of particles are produced: 13 large particles that are generated by the shockwave produced by the laser, and small particles that are produced by the melting and congelation of the sample due to interactions between the sample and the laser plume. We hypothesized that the laserinduced plasma produced during LAL sampling would alter the chemical composition of the GaN and provide particles that could be easily digested without the need for high pressures and sulfuric acid.…”