Laser Ablation–Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS)

The most popular technique in gemstones & mineral testing.

Advance Gemological Tools

Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) is an analytical method used for trace element analysis. It combines a laser source for the ablation of small samples with an inductively coupled plasma source, which is an extremely hot gas source, to create ions from the sample. The ions then travel through an interface that separates the plasma from the mass spectrometer, which performs the mass spectrometric extraction of the ions according to their mass-to-charge ratio.

 This technique was first developed in the early 1980s and has since become a ubiquitous tool for elemental and isotopic analysis. It offers a number of advantages over traditional analytical methods, such as high sensitivity, analytical speed, the ability to analyze very small samples, and multi-element analysis. 

 The LA–ICP–MS process begins with the laser ablation of a sample. A focused laser beam is used to vaporize a sample with a high degree of accuracy. This vapor is then introduced into the ICP, which is a high intensity electric field that converts the vapor into a plasma. This plasma is then allowed to cool slightly before being passed into the mass spectrometer. 

 The mass spectrometer functions by passing the sample ions through an electrostatic field, which causes them to be deflected according to their mass-to-charge ratio. Then a detector measures the ions’ m/z ratio and the data can be processed to get the elemental composition of the sample. The data provides the amount of each element and isotope in the sample, as well as the isotopic ratios.

 This technique is now widely used for a variety of applications including environmental and geological studies, archaeological artifacts, medical research, and more. It is a very powerful analytical tool and has broad applications across many disciplines. 

 In conclusion, LA–ICP–MS is a powerful analytical technique that is widely used for a variety of applications. It allows for analysis of very small samples with a high degree of accuracy and sensitivity. It is relatively quick and provides data on the elemental and isotopic composition of samples. This technique is a valuable tool for researchers in a variety of disciplines.