Analysis of glass by UV laser ablation inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Part 2. Analytical figures of merit

Abstract

Two lasers working in the UV part of the spectrum have been used for the direct analysis of glass samples by laser ablation ICP-AES. An XeCl excimer laser (308 nm) and a Nd:YAG laser operating at the third harmonic (355 nm) and the fourth harmonic (266 nm) have been selected. The energy was 70 mJ and 5 mJ for the excimer laser and the Nd:YAG laser, respectively, with a 10 Hz repetition rate. Figures of merit such as repeatability, reproducibility, accuracy and limits of detection have been studied. Si was used as an internal standard to improve the repeatability, the reproducibility and the accuracy. Use of internal standardardization led to an RSD of less than 1% for most elements and to a linear calibration graph irrespective of the colour of the glass samples. Limits of detection in the solid were of the same magnitude as those obtained using sample dissolution and pneumatic nebulization. Results confirmed that the XeCl laser provided the best results of detection whereas the Nd:YAG laser, particularly at 266 nm, was less sensitive to glass colour.