Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry: Principles and Applications

Abstract

The application of laser ablation inductively plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) to the determination of major, minor, and trace elements as well as isotope‐ratio measurements offers superior technology for direct solid sampling in analytical chemistry. The advantages of LA‐ICP‐MS include direct analysis of solids; no chemical dissolution is necessary, reduced risk of contamination, analysis of small sample mass, and determination of spatial distributions of elemental compositions. This review aims to summarize recent research to apply LA‐ICP‐MS, primarily in the field of environmental chemistry. Experimental systems, fractionation, calibration procedures, figures of merit, and new applications are discussed. Selected applications highlighting LA‐ICP‐MS are presented.