Resolución espacial en la ablación láser acoplada a la espectrometría de masas con fuente de plasma de acoplamiento inductivo

Abstract

Laser ablation as sampling system in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) offers the possibility to know the spatial distribution of elements present in a solid sample. By varying the position of the laser beam on the sample surface, the profile of the lateral distribution of elements is obtained and, with successive pulses fired on a fixed point, profile in depth is achieved. After optimization of operating parameters the technique has been applied to samples with different compositions in both surface and depth. With regard to the lateral resolution has been found that in a length similar to the crater diameter of the laser beam, the signals of the elements appear mixed, making difficult to accurately establish the interface. Regarding the resolution in depth is clearly established the influence of the natural abundance of the measured isotopes.