Neon Inductively Coupled Plasma for Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

The use of a neon inductively coupled plasma (Ne ICP) in place of an argon inductively coupled plasma (Ar ICP) for laser ablation microprobe-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LAM-ICP-MS) is demonstrated. Gas blank mass spectra were obtained comparing the signals obtained with an Ar ICP with the Ne ICP. Sensitivity (signal/concentration) data were also obtained for a number of analytes using solid reference materials. The sensitivity data is complicated by significant changes in optimum Ne ICP parameters (especially nebulizer gas flow) for analytes of varying mass. The sensitivity of the Ne ICP is in general also lower than that obtained for the Ar ICP. The potential for the Ne ICP to reduce the formation of argides, both in the background and from sample induced interferences, is demonstrated. Clearly shown is the reduction of the interferences of 63 Cu 40 Ar and 65 Cu 40 Ar on 103 Rh and 105 Pd in a Cu 2 S sample, as well as the reduction of the interferences of 58 Ni 40 Ar and 60 Ni 40 Ar on 98 Ru and 100 Ru in a NiS sample.