The formation of trace element-enriched particulates during laser ablation of refractory materials

Laser ablation in analytical chemistry—a review

“…They found that the elements with lowermelting-point oxides (Bi 2 O 3 and CuO) were enriched in the vapor phase. Outridge [76,77] and co-workers examined the ablative and transport fractionation of trace elements during infrared Fractionation index is defined as the change in elemental ratio with time as a crater is developed at a single sample location (using a repetitively pulsed laser). The second half of the time signal is divided by the first half, and normalized to the Ca signal.…”

“…Fractionation can occur during transport and involves selective vapor condensation on tubing walls, or selective nucleation of species on different sized particle [76,88,89]. [76] showed the presence of particles significantly enriched in certain elements from laser ablation of NIST 610-glass and mammal tooth, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).…”

“…[76] showed the presence of particles significantly enriched in certain elements from laser ablation of NIST 610-glass and mammal tooth, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Elements enriched in the particles included Pb, Bi, Zn, Au, and Ag.…”

Improved Analytical Characterization of Solid Waste-Forms by Fundamental Development of Laser Ablation Technology

“…During the transport process, the particle size distribution can be alerted by changing tube length, tube diameter, or letting the flow pass through a strong electric field (21,54). However, only a limited amount of research has been dedicated to the effect of chemical matrix on the particle size distribution and transport (21,32). In preliminary work, Figg showed that fractionation was effected by the particle size distribution.…”

Structural features of laser ablation particulate from Si target, as revealed by focused ion beam technology

“…See text for description to rule out the hypothesis that the fluffy structure is due to thermal shock of the particles upon cooling. Figure 2d presents a magnification of the external fractal surface of one of these accreted particles whose surface nano-particulate is known to be enriched in volatile elements [12]. On the background the nano-particulate is densely covering the sample surface.…”