Scanning Mechanical Microscopy of Laser Ablated Volumes Related to Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry

Authors

G. Remond, Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières
A. Batel, Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières
C. Roques-Carmes, Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Mécanique et des Microtechnique
D. Wehbi, Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Mécanique et des Microtechnique
I. Abell, VG-Elemental
G. Seroussi, VG-Instruments

Abstract

Scanning mechanical microscopy based on the point by point sampling of the target surface was used to characterize volumes of minerals ablated by laser pulses (Nd: YAG, 𝝀 = 1064 nm, 140 μs pulse-width). Differentiated volumes resulting from vaporization and exfoliation mechanisms were selectively measured. Ablated volumes of natural pyrite (cubic FeS₂), marcasite (orthorhombic FeS₂) and arsenopyrite AsFeS, were transported into an inductively coupled plasma torch for subsequent mass analysis. The log of the S³⁴ Fe⁵⁷, and As⁷⁵ mass intensities was linearly correlated with the log of the dimensions of the vaporized crater induced by the laser shots while large particles had no effect on the measured intensities. A memory effect for As was observed when a nylon tube was used to carry the ablated materials into the plasma torch. The memory effect was decreased by using a copper tube resulting probably from a difference in the electrical properties of the tubing systems leading to a lower adsorption of As within the copper tube than for the case of the nylon tube.

Recommended Citation

Remond, G.; Batel, A.; Roques-Carmes, C.; Wehbi, D.; Abell, I.; and Seroussi, G. (1990) "Scanning Mechanical Microscopy of Laser Ablated Volumes Related to Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry," Scanning Microscopy: Vol. 4: No. 2, Article 5.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/microscopy/vol4/iss2/5