Femtosecond laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry:: achievements and remaining problems

The prospects of femtosecond laser (fs-LA) ablation as a way to improve the quantification capabilities laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) using non-matrix-matched calibration are discussed. The performance characteristics of LA-ICP-MS have continuously been enhanced and various operational parameters such as laser wavelength, pulse duration, fluence, carrier gas and cell volume are also examined. The utilization of ultra-short laser pulses represents the most promising instrumental advancement enabling the production of ultra-fine aerosol particles from a wide variety of samples whose compositions exactly comply with that of the bulk material. The design and operational characteristics of the ICp as a source of aerosol vaporization, atomization and ionization have been nearly unchanged. the fs-LA is distinguished by an only minor influence of LA conditions whereas ns-LA shows a comparatively strong dependence on all parameters.