Studies on the application of laser sampling - inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry to the determination of rare earth and refractory elements

Direct laser sampling from powdered materials of rock samples for inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry was studied using a powerful carbon dioxide laser. A model for the vaporisation of sample pellets is proposed to explain the good reproducibility of the laser sampling in the continuous mode. The effects of the laser parameters and experimental conditions on analytical results were studied in detail. Extensive investigations indicated that continuous laser sampling was efficient for the determination of rare earth and refractory elements. Good results were obtained for the analysis of real rock samples and standard reference materials. (author)