Applications of laser ablation and electrothermal vaporization as sample introduction techniques for ICP-MS

The field of applications of ICP-MS can be further increased by the use of special sample introduction techniques such as laser ablation (LA) and electrothermal vaporization (ETV). In both cases a tandem source for mass spectrometry is formed by the sample introduction device and the ICP. The first source is specifically designed for the volatilization of a sample and it can be used to introduce selectively only certain parts of a sample into the ICP-MS, based either on local distribution (LA) or volatility (ETV). Applications of LA-ICP-MS are the determination of distribution patterns of minor constituents in solid samples such as ceramics, alloys or hard biological structures. Homogeneity testing in the first two types of samples or determination of distribution patterns of trace elements in the latter can be carried out rapidly with high spatial resolution on a multielement basis. The possibility of on-line separation between fractions of different volatility in a sample with ETV-ICP-MS is demonstrated for volcanic eruption products and other samples.