EXCIMER-LASER ABLATED PLASMA FOR DIRECT ATOMIC-EMISSION SPECTROMETRY OF SOLIDS

The use of an argon fluoride excimer laser to create a plasma above the surface of a solid sample for direct atomic emission spectrometry (AES) is presented. A brief discussion on excimer lasers, including a comparison with lasers of longer wave-lengths, is followed by results of fundamental processes. These include the optimum position in the plasma, surrounding gas, and pressure, as well as a correlation of experimental and theoretical modeling, Finally, selected applications of excimer laser-ablated plasma AES to quantitative studies of metal determination are discussed.