Preliminary Results from a New 157 nm Laser Ablation ICP-MS Instrument: New Opportunities in the Analysis of Solid Samples
Résumé
Preliminary results are given from an excimer 157
nm laser ablation multiple-collector inductively
coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (LA-MC-ICP-MS),
used for the isotopic measurements of solid
materials. Elements of geological interest with
different volatilities such as pb and U (e.g. zircon
geochronology) and Cu and Zn (as examples of
geochemical/biochemical tracers) were analysed.
The range of ablation rates of 20-150 nm 5-1
enabled us to ablate the sample down to a depth
of 45 f!m for a 50 f!m diameter pit. The Cu and Zn
isotopic measurements gave values that were very
stable with, on average, a 0.01% standard error,
comparable with that achieved in liquid
mode measurements.