School of Earth and Environmental Sciences: StAGE laboratory 193nm Excimer Laser Ablation System

Laser system:

An 193nm UV excimer laser ablation system for ablation of silicate, phosphate, oxide and carbonate minerals to make trace element and isotope ratio measurements by split-stream coupling the laser system to a multi-collector inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometer and a collision cell “triple quad” inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Ideally it would have an integrated LIBS detector and the ability to pair LIBS and LA-ICPMS analyses.

We require a 193 nm, short pulse (<7 ns) excimer laser system, capable of delivering a variable sized, homogeneous beam to produce reproducible, sharp-sided ablation pits in a range of matrices including: silicate, phosphate, carbonate and oxide minerals.

A two-volume sample chamber is required to allow efficient transfer of ablated material from samples of a range of sizes to the mass spectrometer(s) with rapid wash out to allow for efficient compositional imaging.

The ablation system will come with automated control of laser functions, x-y-z positioning of sample and carrier gas flows. The system will include high quality imaging of the sample to be ablated, and be capable of making 2D and 3D chemical images.

The system will be technically assessed against the Mandatory and Desirables Requirements. In overall scope our requirements include:

size and quality of the ablated pit, with emphasis on the smallest diameter of well-formed pits

depth of laser focus, allowing reproducible ablation of material on rough surfaces across a long traverse

two-volume sample chamber

reproducibility and robustness of stage positioning and correlation with reference images

reproducibility of trace element concentrations and isotope ratios across the sample cell

rapid computer-controlled switching between different spot sizes including x/y/angle shutter for making and rotating rectangles

speed and efficiency of sample wash out

quality of sample imaging optics

ease of use

small and reproducible laser induced elemental and isotopic fractionation

good pulse to pulse energy stability

capability of efficiently and reproducibly ablating a range of natural materials, including: silicate minerals including zircon, phosphates including monazite and apatite; oxides including cassiterite; carbonates including calcite

LIBS capability

2D/3D chemical mapping of sample sections via raster and drill-down

We wish be able to integrate the sample image with an independent sample map (for example obtained by secondary electron imaging). We also require the laser to generate independent triggering and synchronisation signals. The instrument is to be compatible with operation in conjunction with an Agilent 8800 Triple Quad and a Nu Plasma 1 multicollector ICPMSs. The system should be able to simultaneously trigger these instruments.

Key Requirements

A 193 nm Excimer laser capable of delivering a variable sized, homogeneous beam to produce reproducible, sharp-sided ablation pits in a range of matrices including: silicate, phosphate, carbonate and oxide minerals.

Automated control of laser functions, x-y-z positioning of sample and carrier gas flows, with sample imaging and a two-volume ablation chamber.

System must generate independent triggering and synchronisation signals, as frequently as each laser pulse.

Laser pulse length <7ns.

Two-volume sample chamber, capable of holding large diameter samples

Integrated mass flow controller(s) for carrier gas (He) (and ideally additional gas (N2))

User friendly software capable of running predefined spots automatically and unattended.

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