Laser-ablation system makes LA-ICP-MS suitable as a routine analytical tool for precise fluid inclusion measurements, and is safer and cheaper than toxic excimer lasers
Thermo Elemental, a specialist in AA, ICP and ICP-MS technologies, has launched the UP-213 second generation high-performance Nd:YAG UV (213nm) laser-ablation system, providing flat craters and high absorption for the analysis of both opaque and transparent materials.
The development of the UP-213 laser-ablation system makes LA-ICP-MS suitable as a routine analytical tool for precise fluid inclusion measurements. The improved coupling efficiency of the 213nm system enables precisely controlled analysis of highly transparent materials including calcite, apatite, quartz, and feldspars, and has the advantage of being safer and more cost efficient to run than toxic 193nm ArF excimer lasers.
The UP-213 has a spot size controllable down to 5µm, making it ideal for the analysis of fluid inclusions, which are generally small (typically <10µm) and located at differing depths in the sample.
Operation of the UP-213 at lower energy levels allows precise control of drilling through a sample until the inclusion is reached, followed by a long, stable signal from the fluid.
This permits the precise measurement of the range of elements of interest.
Using a laser power of 0.25mJ, the same type of analysis can be performed with a faster drill rate into the inclusion, and by increasing the crater size to 30µm, there is rapid ablation of the contents.
The flexibility of operation and precise level of control allows the user to select the most appropriate method of analysis for these traditionally difficult to analyse samples.
The absorption rate at 213nm improves the ablation of all materials including fragile and easily cleaved minerals.
The long, stable, spike-free signals are ideal for isotope ratio measurements and the specialised beam delivery system ensures flat craters with energy densities that remain constant - even when changing spot sizes.
This universal platform laser ablation system UP-213 complements the X series ICP-MS system for a range of applications including geological samples, volcanic glasses, silicate minerals and calcite, direct analysis of pressed powders, bulk analysis of metals, alloys, polymers and ceramics, and micro-feature analysis such as fluid inclusions and mineral grains.
