Quantitative imaging analysis and investigation of transmission loss in PbF2 crystals by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry method

We developed a procedure for preparing matrix-matched calibration standards for the quantitative imaging of multiple trace elements in PbF2 crystals by laser ablation -inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). In this facile approach, PbO powder was employed as the matrix with the addition of a series of standard solutions, followed by drying and tableting, for determining the concentrations ,f Mg-24, Al-27, Y-89, Rh-103, Cs-133, Lu-175 and Bi-209 in transparent samples (with homogeneous element distribution). Pb-206 was chosen as the internal standard and the correlation coefficients of the calibration curves for all elements ranged from 0.9987 to 0.9999 after internal standard correction. The analysis showed good agreement with the results observed by established ICP-MS methods, following acid dissolution of the samples. Finally, the element distributions and transmission curves of a PbF2 sample with non-transparent and transparent sections were visualized. The distribution images, in conjunction with the transmission curves, suggested that the enrichment of Mg, Al, Rh, Cs, and Bi atoms in the non-transparent section of the sample could explain the loss in transmission observed for that section. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.