Lasertodennusmenetelmiä

Lasertodennusmenetelmiä, often translated as laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), is a powerful analytical technique used for the elemental and isotopic analysis of solid samples. This method combines the spatial resolution of laser ablation with the high sensitivity and broad elemental coverage of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

The process begins with a laser ablation system, which uses a focused laser beam to vaporize a small portion of the sample's surface. This creates a fine aerosol of sample material. This aerosol is then transported by a carrier gas, typically argon, directly into the plasma source of the ICP-MS instrument.

Inside the ICP, the sample aerosol is introduced into a very high-temperature plasma (around 6,000-10,000 Kelvin), which efficiently atomizes and ionizes the elements present in the sample. The resulting ions are then accelerated into a mass spectrometer, where they are separated based on their mass-to-charge ratio. A detector measures the abundance of each ion species, allowing for the quantitative determination of elements and their isotopes.

LA-ICP-MS is advantageous because it can analyze a wide range of elements, from light to heavy, with very low detection limits. It also offers the capability for in-situ analysis, meaning samples can be analyzed directly without extensive preparation, preserving their original spatial distribution of elements. This makes it invaluable in fields such as geology, material science, environmental monitoring, and forensics, where precise elemental and isotopic composition at specific locations within a sample is crucial.