Development of strategies for improving the overall performance of laser-ablation-ICP-spectrometry

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Kay Niemax
• Subject Area: Analytical Chemistry
• Term: from 2004 to 2008
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5418875

The fractionation and transport phenomena of laser-produced aerosols will be examined in order to develop strategies for improving the performance of laser ablation (LA) inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectrometry. For this purpose, the size distribution and composition of aerosols will be measured under various experimental conditions using nano- as well as femtosecond laser ablation. On the basis of the results achieved, optimum conditions for the quantitative analysis of metallic and non-metallic samples will be specified. The final goal is the matrix-independent analysis by LA-ICP-spectrometry. Furthermore, an ablation cell will be developed which provides enhanced transport efficiency and minimum aerosol dispersion. Taking into account the size distribution and kinetic properties of the laser-produced particles, volume and geometry of the ablation cell will be optimized applying numerical simulations. The analytical performance of the cell will be investigated by ICP-optical emission spectrometry as well as ICP-mass spectrometry. It is also planned to study aerosol transport by pneumatic suction as an alternative to conventional advection-tpye ablation cells.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Person: Dr. Joachim Koch