Analysis of Black Inclusions of Fused Silica by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry Using Laser Ablation Technique

Abstract

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry using a laser ablation technique has been developed for the analysis of small inclusions of fused silica. A Q-switched pulsed Nd: YAG laser is fired at interesting sites of sample pieces with sizes of 10 - 40 mm. Ablated particles were introduced directly into the ICP. Preablation with the laser pulses was effective in removing the surface contamination; thus, 1-min preablation could be conducted at interesting sites before data acquisition. The intensity ratios of interesting elements to matrix element with corrections using the relative sensitivity factors obtained by a solution introduction method provide some semi-quantitative data concerning the samples. The established procedure has been applied to the analysis of black inclusions of fused silica. The results have indicated that the major constituent of the inclusions was Fe (oxides).