title: High-speed, high-resolution, multielemental LA-ICP-TOFMS imaging: part II. critical evaluation of quantitative three-dimensional imaging of major, minor, and trace elements in geological samples.
abstract: Here we describe the capabilities of laser-ablation coupled to inductively coupled plasma time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-TOFMS) for high-speed, high-resolution, quantitative three-dimensional (3D) multielemental imaging. The basic operating principles of this instrumental setup and a verification of 3D quantitative elemental imaging are provided. To demonstrate the potential of 3D LA-ICP-TOFMS imaging, high-resolution multielement images of a cesium-infiltrated Opalinus clay rock were recorded using LA with a laser-spot diameter of 5 μm coupled to ICP-TOFMS. Quantification of elements ablated from each individual laser pulse was carried out by 100% mass normalization, and the 3D elemental concentration images generated match well with the expected distribution of elements. After laser-ablation imaging, the sample surface morphology was investigated using confocal microscopy, which showed substantial surface roughness and evidence of matrix-dependent ablation yields. Depth assignment based on ablation yields from heterogeneous materials, such as Opalinus clay rock, will remain a challenge for 3D LA-ICPMS imaging. Nevertheless, this study demonstrates quantitative 3D multielemental imaging of geological samples at a considerably higher image-acquisition speed than previously reported, while also offering high spatial resolution and simultaneous multielemental detection.
authors.affiliation: †Laboratory of Inorganic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Marcel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Burger
authors.affiliation: †Laboratory of Inorganic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gundlach-Graham
authors.affiliation: †Laboratory of Inorganic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Steffen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Allner
authors.affiliation: †Laboratory of Inorganic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Gunnar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.affiliation: †Laboratory of Inorganic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Hao A O
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: †Laboratory of Inorganic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Luzia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gyr
authors.affiliation: †Laboratory of Inorganic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Burgener
authors.affiliation: †Laboratory of Inorganic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Bodo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hattendorf
authors.affiliation: ‡Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Grolimund
authors.affiliation: †Laboratory of Inorganic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Detlef
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Günther