Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry—current shortcomings, practical suggestions for improving performance, and experiments to guide future development

Abstract

Experimental parameters and processes important in laser ablation such as the wavelength, fluence and pulse width of the laser, the form of the ablation cell, the cell gas, the particle transport and atomization in the ICP have an impact on the analytical performance of laser ablation inductively coupled mass spectrometry. The paper discusses the influence of the aforementioned parameters and processes on LA-ICP-MS and presents proposals to map out strategies for optimum LA-ICP-MS analyses. Additionally, experiments are identified which still need to be done for better understanding of the relevant processes and further improvement of the analytical performance of the technique.