When analyzing geoloical samples (element or isotope composition) with ICP-MS which type of laser ablation system would provide better result - nanosecond laser (193//213 nm) or femtosecond one?
Dear Alexander
Femtosecond lasers have shown significantly better performance in materials with high thermal conductivity like metals but do not offer clear advantages for insulators like silicates and various minerals for example. In this sense, ns LA would be the better (cheaper) choice.
In these cases we found that wavelength has a stronger effect than pulse duration. If your sample suite contains highly transparent materials, 193 nm might be the better option than 213 nm.
Hello Alexander, and Bodo.
Bodo: what about the aspect of a femto that should generate a finer and more homogeneous aerosol than ns (thus assumed better transported and ionized); Is this quality no longer true in silicates minerals? or it has no measurable effect on silicates in ICP-MS, maybe because an appropriate (matrix-matched) calibration strategy was used? Or is it because nanosecond LA also generates fine "stoechiometric" aerosols in silicates minerals? Thanks
Hi Dany
We have never found a "finer" aerosol formed after LA in silicates. In fact Reto observed even more particles > 20 nm with 795 nm and 265 nm fs LA in silicate and zircon (Glaus et al. Spectrochimica Acta Part B 65 (2010) 812–822).
For such insulators, there is apparently sufficiently low heat dissipation on the ns time scale to avoid a deep melt and the corresponding splashed drops.
Best regards
Bodo
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