Multi-element determination with solid sampling by laser ablation using electrothermal atomisation and continuum source coherent forward scattering spectrometry

Laser ablation allows fast and easy sampling of solids with a spatial resolution of some (μm vertical and some 30 μm lateral. The deposition of the laser generated aerosol in a graphite furnace in combination with continuum source CFS allows simultaneous multi-element analysis and the use of internal standards. The aerosol is transported into the graphite furnace with the inert gas flow and deposited by means of a corona discharge inside the tube. The deposition efficiency shows an enhancement by about three orders of magnitude, compared to the deposition without a field. The analytical precision and accuracy has been tested with metals and mineral samples as glassy cinder from a waste incineration plant.