Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing a representative, homogeneous, and planarized target for solid sample laser ablation. A method embodiment includes, but is not limited to, removing portions of a solid sample with an abrasive sampling system, the abrasive sampling system including at least one of a plurality of abrasive particles configured to hold the portions of the solid sample on an abrasive substrate between the abrasive particles or a texturized surface configured to hold the portions of the solid sample on the texturized surface; transferring the abrasive sampling system holding the portions of the solid sample to a laser ablation system; and ablating the portions of the solid sample held by the abrasive sampling system with the laser ablation system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for controlling flow of a purge gas introduced to an ablation cell between samples to remove atmospheric gas. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a spray chamber including a spray chamber body, a transfer gas inlet configured to receive gas from a laser ablation sample cell, a first outlet line configured to transfer gas from the spray chamber to an inductively-coupled plasma torch, and a second outlet line coupled to the spray chamber body, the second gas outlet having a larger internal cross-sectional area than an internal cross-sectional area of the first outlet line; and a valve fluidically coupled to the second outlet line, the valve configured to transition between at least an open configuration configured to permit transfer gas through the second outlet line and a closed configuration configured to prevent transfer of gas through the second outlet line.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for transferring gas from an ablation cell to an inductively coupled plasma analysis system via a gas exchange membrane transfer line to exchange gas introduced to the ablation cell with a sweep gas. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a laser ablation cell configured to generate a sample transfer stream through laser ablation of a sample and introduction of a carrier gas to flow the ablated sample from the laser ablation cell; an inductively-coupled plasma analysis device configured to measure one or more analytes in the sample transfer stream; and a gas exchange membrane transfer line fluidically coupled between the laser ablation cell and the inductively-coupled plasma analysis device, the gas exchange membrane transfer line configured to replace gas in the sample transfer stream with sweep gas via gas exchange across a membrane of the gas exchange membrane transfer line.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing a representative, homogeneous, and planarized target for solid sample laser ablation. A method embodiment includes, but is not limited to, removing portions of a solid sample with an abrasive sampling system, the abrasive sampling system including at least one of a plurality of abrasive particles configured to hold the portions of the solid sample on an abrasive substrate between the abrasive particles or a texturized surface configured to hold the portions of the solid sample on the texturized surface; transferring the abrasive sampling system holding the portions of the solid sample to a laser ablation system; and ablating the portions of the solid sample held by the abrasive sampling system with the laser ablation system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for securing fabric, paper, and film samples for analysis by laser ablation. A method embodiment includes, but is not limited to, securing a thin, solid sample with a sample holder system, the sample holder system configured to hold the thin, solid sample in a taut configuration between a piston and a sample holder base; transferring the sample holder system to a laser ablation system; and ablating at least a portion of the thin, solid sample in the taut configuration with the laser ablation system to provide an ablated sample.