Towards high-resolution water isotope analysis in ice cores using laser ablation - cavity ring-down spectroscopy.

A new micro-destructive technique for high-resolution water isotope analysis of ice samples using a Laser Ablation (LA) system coupled with a Cavity Ring Down Spectrometer (CRDS) is presented. This method marks the first time water isotope analysis is conducted directly on the ice, bypassing the traditional steps of melting and vaporizing the ice sample, thanks to the direct transition of ice into water vapour through the laser ablation process. A nanosecond ArF laser ablation system (193 nm) with an integrated two-volume ablation chamber was successfully coupled to a CRDS analyzer, utilizing nitrogen as the carrier gas.

Spatial Microanalysis of Natural C/C Abundance in Environmental Samples Using Laser Ablation-Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry.

The stable C/C isotope composition usually varies among different organic materials due to isotope fractionation during biochemical synthesis and degradation processes. Here, we introduce a novel laser ablation-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (LA-IRMS) methodology that allows highly resolved spatial analysis of carbon isotope signatures in solid samples down to a spatial resolution of 10 μm. The presented instrumental setup includes in-house-designed exchangeable ablation cells (3.

Doubling Sensitivity in Multicollector ICPMS Using High-Efficiency, Rapid Response Laser Ablation Technology.

The introduction of rapid response laser ablation cells and sample transport technologies to laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) has enabled signal pulse durations for a single laser ablation shot of less than 10 ms. These developments have resulted in marked improvements in analytical throughput, resolution, and sensitivity vital for the generation of large, highly spatially resolved elemental maps. The focus on mapping, particularly bioimaging, has obscured the possibility of applying the sensitivity advantage of rapid response technologies to other LA-ICPMS applications, such as high-precision isotope ratio analysis on multicollector (MC) ICPMS.