Resonant Laser Ablation: Applications and Mechanistic Aspects

Abstract

Ever since the first report of laser action, it has been recognized that laser ablation (evaporation/volatilization) may provide a useful sampling mechanism for chemical analysis. In particular, laser ablation is rapidly gaining popularity as a method of sample introduction for mass spectrometry. Since its original description, numerous research papers and review articles have appeared on various aspects of laser mass spectrometry. While most laser ablation/mass spectrometry has been performed with fixed frequency lasers operating at relatively high intensities/fluences (≥108 W/cm2, ≥1 J/cm2), there has been some recent interest in the use of low-power tunable lasers to ablate and resonantly ionize selected components in the ablation plume. This process has been termed resonant laser ablation (RLA).1 Potential advantages of RLA include: 1) simplification of the mass spectrum, by enhancement of signal from the analyte of interest; 2) improvement of the absolute detection limits by improving the ionization efficiency, and 3) improvement in relative sensitivity by reduction of spurious signal in the detection channel of interest (due to bleed through from adjascent mass channels or from isobaric interferences).